Assessing parents' awareness about children's "first thousand days of life": a descriptive and analytical study

Area of Science:

• Child Development
• Public Health
• Parental Education

Background:

• Childhood development significantly impacts adult health, particularly during the "first thousand days of life".
• Parental involvement is crucial for child development, yet parental awareness of this critical period remains understudied.
• This research addresses the gap by investigating parental awareness of the "first thousand days of life" and its demographic correlations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess parental awareness levels regarding the "first thousand days of life".
• To explore the relationship between parental demographics and their awareness of this crucial developmental stage.
• To identify preferred information sources for parents concerning early childhood development.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire assessing parental awareness was administered to 135 parents in Kerman, Iran.
• Statistical analyses, including multiple regression, ANOVA, and Chi-square tests, were employed to examine demographic relationships and information source preferences.
• The study utilized a validated questionnaire developed with expert input and based on relevant literature.

Main Results:

• The average parental awareness score was 41.96 ± 11.90, indicating below-average knowledge.
• A significant majority (83%) of parents had not heard of the "first thousand days of life".
• Friends and relatives were the primary information source (57%), while 47% expressed a preference for mobile applications for information.

Conclusions:

• Parental awareness regarding the "first thousand days of life" is notably low.
• Current information dissemination relies heavily on informal channels, necessitating strategic interventions.
• Leveraging mobile applications and diverse communication channels is recommended to enhance parental knowledge and support child development.