Screening for developmental disabilities in developing countries

• Published in: Social science & medicine (1982) 2013-11, Vol.97, p.307-315
• Main Authors: Bornstein, Marc H., Hendricks, Charlene
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Distribution; Child; Child development; Child, Preschool; Children; Children & youth; Cognition; Cognitive Development; Developing Countries; Developing Countries - statistics & numerical data; Developmental disabilities; Developmental Disabilities - diagnosis; Developmental Disabilities - epidemiology; Disability; Disabled Children - statistics & numerical data; Disabled persons; Female; Handicapped; Human development; Human development index; Humans; LDCs; Male; Mass Screening; Motor ability; Physically Handicapped; Policy making; Risk Factors; Sex; Sex Distribution; Standard of Living; Tests
• ISSN: 0277-9536; 1873-5347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.09.049

Despite waxing international interest in child disability, little information exists about the situation of children with disabilities in developing countries. Using a culture-free screen for child disability from the 2005–2007 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, this study reports percentages of children in 16 developing countries who screened positive for cognitive, language, sensory, and motor disabilities, covariation among disabilities, deviation contrasts that compare each country to the overall effect of country (including effects of age and gender and their interactions), and associations of disabilities with the Human Development Index. Developmental disabilities vary by child age and country, and younger children in developing countries with lower standards of living are more likely to screen positive for disabilities. The discussion of these findings revolves around research and policy implications. ► This study reports on children in 16 developing countries who screened most at-risk in 4 broad domains of child development. ► Overall, the percentages of children who screened positive for at least one disability was 20.4%, range = 3.1–45.2%. ► Variability emerged by disability type, child age, and country, with relations between prevalence and standard of living. ► More language disabilities were reported than motor, more motor than cognitive, and more cognitive than sensory. ► Younger children and countries with lower living standards were more likely to be screened as having some type of impairment.