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Prevalence and risk factors of disabilities among Egyptian preschool children: a community-based population study
Ammal M Metwally1, Ahmed Aboulghate2, Ghada A Elshaarawy2
1Community Medicine Research Department, Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre (ID: 60014618), P.O. 12622, Giza, Dokki, Egypt. ammal_mok@yahoo.com.
Insights
A study found 8.1% of Egyptian children aged 1-6 have disabilities, with speech/communication being most common. Modifiable factors like birth complications and maternal health influence child disability risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Child disability significantly impacts well-being and healthcare systems.
- Understanding prevalence and predictors is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of seven disability types in Egyptian children aged 1-6 years.
- To identify socio-demographic, epidemiological, and perinatal predictors of childhood disability.
Main Methods:
- A national, population-based, cross-sectional household survey was conducted.
- 21,316 children from eight Egyptian governorates participated.
- The WHO ten-question screening tool was adapted to identify seven disability categories.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of at least one disability was 8.1%, with speech/communication (4.4%) and mobility/physical (2.5%) being most common.
- Male sex, post-birth convulsions, preterm delivery, incubator use, cyanosis, low birth weight, and maternal health problems were associated with increased disability risks.
- Higher paternal education was linked to a decreased risk of most disabilities.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of disability exists among young Egyptian children.
- Several modifiable risk factors were identified, highlighting opportunities for prevention.
- Early disability screening and intervention are recommended to improve child outcomes.
Background:
Child disability has significant implications on their well-being and healthcare systems.
Aim:
This survey aimed to assess the magnitude of seven types of disability among Egyptian children aged 1 < 6 years and their socio-demographic, epidemiological, and perinatal predictors.
Methods:
A national population-based cross-sectional household survey targeting 21,316 children from eight governorates was conducted. The screening questionnaire was derived from the WHO ten-question survey tool validated for identifying seven disability categories.
Results:
The percentage of children with at least one disability was 8.1% as follows: speech/communication (4.4%), Mobility/physical (2.5%), Seizures (2.2%), Comprehension (1.7%), Intellectual impairment (1.4%), Visual (0.3%) and Hearing (0.2%). Age was not found to affect the odds of disability except for visual disability (significantly increased with age (AOR = 1.4, 95% CI:1.1-1.7). Male sex also increased the odds of all disabilities except visual, hearing, and seizures. Convulsions after birth significantly increased the odds of disability as follows: hearing (AOR = 8.1, 95% CI: 2.2-30.5), intellectual impairment (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: 2.5-6.9), and mobility/physical (AOR = 3.4, 95% CI: 2.3-5.0). Preterm delivery and being kept in an incubator for more than two days after birth increased the odds for visual disability (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.1-12.1 & AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.7-7.9 respectively). Cyanosis increased the odds of seizures (AOR = 4.7, 95% CI: 2.2-10.3). Low birth weight also increased the odds for all disability domains except for visual and hearing. Maternal health problems during pregnancy increased the odds for all types of disability except hearing and seizures. Higher paternal education decreased the odds for all disabilities by at least 30% except for vision and hearing.
Conclusion:
The study found a high prevalence of disability among Egyptian children aged 1-6 years. It identified a number of modifiable risk factors for disability. The practice of early screening for disability is encouraged to provide early interventions when needed.
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