Abstract
Objective
To develop a district model for establishing early detection of childhood disability below 6 y of age and to develop appropriate referral linkages for confirmation of the diagnosis and establish home based early intervention therapy to all needy children.
Methods
Trained Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers conducted the preliminary survey for identifying developmental delay/disability among children below 6 y of age using Trivandrum Developmental Screening Chart (TDSC) (0–6 y) and a team of experts assessed the screen positives in developmental evaluation camps conducted at primary health centres (PHCs).
Results
Community survey was carried out and 1,01,438 children below 6 y of age in Thiruvananthapuram district were screened by ASHA workers and 2,477 (2.45 %) positive cases (TDSC two or more item delay) were identified and these children were called for the developmental evaluation camps conducted at 80 PHCs in the district. Among the 1,329 children who reached the evaluation camps 43.1 % were normal. 24.98 % children had speech and language delay and 22.95 % children had multiple disabilities. Developmental delay was observed among 49.89 % children and cerebral palsy in 8.43 % and intellectual disability 16.85 % were confirmed. Visual impairment in 3.31 % and neuromuscular disorders in 1.35 were found among children evaluated in the camp.
Conclusions
The results of this district wide early detection of disability survey by trained ASHA workers among children below 6 y of age showed a community prevalence of 3.08 % observed, based on two or more item delay in TDSC and among these children, 43.1 % were normal, 49.89 % had developmental delay, 24.98 % had speech and language delay and 22.95 % had multiple disabilities.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and support received from staff of Child Development Centre, Kerala, specially Dr. G. Suresh Kumar, Registrar; Ms. Deepa NR, PS to Director; Mr. Asokan N, PA to Director; Suja S, Junior Programmer; CDC, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, in conduction of this study.
Conflict of Interest
None.
Source of Funding
This study is supported by Child Development Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
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Nair, M.K.C., Harikumaran Nair, G.S., Beena, M. et al. CDC Kerala 16: Early Detection of Developmental Delay/Disability Among Children Below 6 y — A District Model. Indian J Pediatr 81 (Suppl 2), 151–155 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1589-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1589-y