Nurturing the Future: Understanding maternal knowledge of child development in Oman

This study aimed to examine the knowledge of Omani women of childbearing age concerning infant developmental care.

This cross-sectional study included 1,006 Omani women of childbearing age, recruited from outpatient clinics at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (response rate = 71%). Their knowledge was evaluated using the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory (KIDI), a validated self-report questionnaire. The KIDI scores were analysed to identify associations with demographic variables such as women's age, education level, employment status and number of children. Data were collected from June 2023 to October 2023.

The mean age of the participating women was 31.6 ± 8.4 years. The majority were from Muscat (49.6%), with over half holding bachelor's degrees (57.1%) and 39% being employed. The mean correct response rate for KIDI was 0.63 ± 0.11, suggesting that, on average, the women answered 63% of the questions accurately. Higher education levels and employment status were significantly associated with better knowledge scores (P < 0.001). Misconceptions were prevalent in areas such as infant sensory capabilities and developmental milestones.

The findings reveal significant gaps in knowledge regarding child development among Omani women, particularly those with lower levels of educational attainment. Targeted educational interventions are needed to enhance maternal knowledge and support child development in Oman.