FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD THAILAND HEALTH REGION 2 PHITSANULOK

Abstract

The purposes of this research were to behaviors of mothers, child rearing, identify the situation of Thai early childhood development, and factors related to predicting Thai early childhood development in health region 2. There were 908 parents or relatives with children age 8 months 16 days to 5 years 11 months and 29 days included record. Data collection tools consisted of questionnaires, child health record book and Denver II development test (Thai version). The data was analyzed by percentage and Multiple Logistic Regression.

            The results revealed that pregnant with complications during pregnancy only 3.9% and 84% received type of vitamin Obimin/Triferdine/Nataral. Participation in antenatal clinic (ANC clinic) was 53.1% and well child clinic (WCC clinic) was 51.0%. Nearly half of them were normal birth. Birth weight ≥2,500 grams was 91.5%. Percentage of children daytime staying at home was 58.0%. The early childhood development in normal rang was 79.5%, development of personal social 94.0%, language 88%, fine motor 92.6% and gross motor 92.8%. Early children ate vitamin iron supplements 57.2%. Growth showed weight for age, height for age and weight for height had normal 80.3%, 84.2 and 79.6, respectively. Factors related to predicting early childhood development with significantly (P<0.05) found that complications during pregnancy, child labour, weight for age, daytime staying place of child, oral health check, Story Telling, play and TV watch allowance of child. Therefore, in order to promote development and nutrition for early childhood must provide health literacy before pregnancy and integration with community and related institution.