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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
Sampling survey of disability in 0-6 year-old children in China
Hui Zhang1, Shao-Hua Bo, Xi-Tan Zhang
1Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China.
Insights
The study found a 1.362% disability prevalence in children aged 0-6 years, with intellectual disability being most common. Factors like rural settings and family structure impact child disability rates.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of childhood disability is crucial for effective public health interventions.
- Early identification and intervention are key to improving outcomes for disabled children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of disabilities in children aged 0-6 years.
- To identify risk factors associated with childhood disabilities.
- To inform policy development for disabled children.
Main Methods:
- A community-based, cross-sectional study involving 60,124 children aged 0-6 years.
- Multi-phase, stratified, unequal proportional, and cluster sampling methods were employed.
- Children underwent screening for disabilities, with positive cases receiving further specialist diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Overall prevalence of disability was 1.362%, with intellectual disability (0.931%) being the most prevalent.
- Specific disability prevalences: hearing (0.155%), visual (0.160%), limb (0.424%), and mental (0.101%).
- Higher disability prevalence was observed in rural areas, larger families, families with lower educational levels, and divorced families.
Conclusions:
- Childhood disability prevalence can be mitigated through economic development and improved healthcare.
- Harmonious family relationships, early disability prevention, and preschool education are vital for reducing disability.
- Evidence supports targeted policies to address socioeconomic and familial factors influencing childhood disability.
Objective:
To investigate the current status of disabled children and prevalence of disabilities in children aged 0-6 years and their risk factors, and to provide scientific evidence for making relevant policies for disabled children.
Methods:
In a community-based cross-sectional study, multi-phase, stratified, unequal proportional and cluster sampling was adopted to survey 60 124 children aged 0-6 years. All the investigated children were screened for disabilities, and those with positive screening tests were further diagnosed by various specialties.
Results:
A total of 819 children were diagnosed as disabled with an overall prevalence of 1.362%, 0.155% for hearing disability, 0.160% for visual disability, 0.931% for intelligent disability, 0.424% for limb disability, and 0.101% for mental disability. Prevalence of disability in children was higher in rural areas, and in families with two or more children, low educational level or in divorced families.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of disability can be reduced by economic development, improvement of health care and quality of population, as well as harmonious familial relationship, early prevention of disability, and preschool education for disabled children.
