"Care for Development" intervention in rural China: a prospective follow-up study

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Public Health Interventions
• Global Health

Background:

• Child development in impoverished rural areas faces significant challenges.
• The Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy aims to improve child health outcomes.
• Caregiver-child interaction is crucial for early childhood development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and appropriateness of the World Health Organization's Care for Development (CFD) counseling materials.
• To assess the impact of the CFD Mother's Card on child development in rural China.
• To determine the feasibility and helpfulness of the CFD Mother's Card intervention.

Main Methods:

• 100 families with children under 2 years were recruited from rural Anhui Province, China.
• 50 families received two counseling sessions using the CFD Mother's Card.
• Children's development was assessed using Gesell Developmental Schedules before and after 6 months; questionnaires were also administered.

Main Results:

• Children in families receiving CFD counseling showed significantly higher cognitive, social, and linguistic development quotient scores.
• Baseline developmental scores in both groups were below national norms.
• Responsive interactions and consistent caregivers were associated with higher developmental scores.

Conclusions:

• The WHO's CFD approach and Mother's Card are feasible and effective for promoting child development.
• There is a critical need to scale up child development promotion in rural China.
• Expansion of the CFD Mother's Card within the national IMCI program is recommended.