Developmental risk factors in Vietnamese preschool-age children: Cross-sectional survey

Background Early childhood development (ECD) strongly influences children's basic learning, school success, economic participation, social citizenry and health. Although some risk factors related to childhood development are documented, further exploration is necessary considering various sociodemographic, nutritional, and psychosocial factors. This study investigated factors affecting ECD in Vietnamese preschoolers. Methods We used data from the representative, cross‐sectional round of the Vietnam Multiple Indicator Clusters Survey 2011. Early Childhood Development Index questionnaires were administered to mothers of all children aged 36–59 months in the household (n = 1459). Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used in the analysis. Results In Vietnam, 17.2% of children did not reach their full developmental potential within the first 5 years. Children who had been breast‐fed (AOR, 2.78; 95%CI: 1.28–6.02), attended preschool (AOR, 1.75; 95%CI: 1.28–2.39), were of major ethnicity (AOR, 2.41; 95%CI: 1.55–3.74), had a mother with secondary or higher education (AOR, 1.69; 95%CI: 1.19–2.38) and had relatives who engaged with them in four or more activities that promote learning (AOR, 1.55; 95%CI: 1.13–2.14) were more likely to have a normal developmental trajectory. Furthermore, children who experienced physical punishment and stunting were 0.69‐fold (95%CI: 0.51–0.95) and 0.71‐fold (95%CI: 0.51–0.98) less likely to be on track for ECD, respectively. Conclusions The risk factors associated with delayed ECD were low level of maternal education; family ethnicity; lack of preschool attendance; relatives who did not engage with them in learning; physical punishment; not being breast‐fed; and stunting.