Introduction: Developmentally delayed children are likely to be less productive adults and it may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others, which may lead to social discrimination. Screening of children for developmental delays and early interventions thus has been a priority issue and concern worldwide as well as in India. In this context the present study was conducted with the following objectives:
Objectives: To assess the extent of developmental delays and to identify its relation with feeding practices among tribal tea garden children of a district of West Bengal.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in tea garden areas of a subdivision in Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India from May 2015 to April 2016. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS software and binary logistic regression was applied to test association between developmental delay and other epidemiological correlates. Trivandrum developmental screening chart (TDSC) was used to assess developmental delay.
Results: Developmental delay was noted among 42 out of 286 children (14.7%). It was found statistically significant with some of the feeding practices, like- history of pre-lacteal feeding, decreased frequency, mixed feeding, exclusive breast feeding, inadequate quantity etc.
Conclusion: There was higher proportion of developmental delay in the studied area and it was found to be associated with feeding practices during childhood.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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