Influence of Socio-Cultural, Economic and Environmental Factors on Child Development Following Development Screening...

To screen 2-5-year-old children from two districts in rural Bengal, India, using the Early Childhood Development Index 2030 (ECDI2030) tool and to compare the profiles of those developmentally 'on-track' and 'not-on-track' in terms of availability of fourteen important socio-cultural, economic and environmental factors.

The study included children aged 2-5 years from Purulia and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal, India, using 'simple-random-sampling-without-replacement' (SRSWOR) design for selection. Each participant underwent a three-step enquiry comprising demographic data collection, assessment of 14 socio-cultural, economic and environmental factors using Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)-6, and administration of the ECDI2030 questionnaire. Trained community workers conducted the survey.

Out of 2170 children aged 2-5 years, 85.25% were developmentally 'on-track' and 14.75% were not. Children 'on-track' more often had higher maternal education, greater parental engagement (play, storytelling, singing and reading), appropriate toys and fathers' involvement and had more toys and picture books at home. Maternal depression and tiredness, preschool attendance and family income showed minimal differences between the groups.

The ECDI2030 tool is useful for identifying children whose development is 'not-on-track' and the influencing factors they lack. These insights can guide targeted early childhood development interventions. Caregiver awareness should be strengthened, with emphasis on active play, talking and interaction at home.