Community-Based Needs Assessment of Neurodevelopment, Caregiver, and Home Environment Factors in Young Children...

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Pediatrics
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• High prevalence of neurodevelopmental delays (NDDs) in children affected by HIV in resource-poor settings like Peru.
• Limited access to adequate treatment and developmental support for these children.
• Impact of HIV on child development and the need for early intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess neurodevelopmental delays (NDDs) in children affected by HIV in Peru using community health workers (CHWs).
• To explore caregiver needs, behaviors, and perceptions regarding early child stimulation and screening.
• To identify factors associated with NDDs in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• Community health workers (CHWs) administered NDD screening instruments to 14 HIV-affected parent-child dyads.
• Focus group discussions were conducted with caregivers to explore needs and perceptions.
• Quantitative data on child development, caregiver factors, and household characteristics were collected.

Main Results:

• Over 70% of children exhibited abnormal development in at least one domain.
• Caregiver depression, stress, and specific parenting behaviors were associated with abnormal development.
• Caregivers found the screening process insightful, and knowledge about child development was low.
• Reported caregiver behaviors varied between those with HIV-infected and uninfected children.

Conclusions:

• Community-based NDD screening is feasible and well-received by caregivers of children affected by HIV.
• Parenting behaviors linked to developmental delays may be modifiable through targeted interventions.
• Findings highlight the importance of integrated care addressing both child development and caregiver well-being.