Factors Associated with the Suspected Delay in the Language Development of Early Childhood in Southern Thailand

Many children have a suspected delay in language development and need extensive support from parents and the health care team. This study aimed to investigate the suspected delay in language development and the factors associated with the suspected delay in language development among early childhood in Southern Thailand. Children aged 24 to 60 months were recruited as study samples using stratified random sampling conducted in 23 districts and simple random sampling in 7 sections (425 children). The research instruments comprised demographic data on the children and families, the preschool temperament questionnaire, and the Language Development Screening questionnaire using the Developmental Surveillance and Promotion Manual and data collected from July 2020 to January 2021. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The results showed that the suspected delay in development was 40.9 percent. Daily screen time exceeding 2 h per day (AOR = 17.30, 95% CI: 7.35-40.72), and regarding a child's temperament, moderate-to-difficult temperament (AOR = 9.56, 95% CI: 5.12-17.85) was significantly associated with the suspected delay in language development. Genders, gestational age of early childhood, and the age of the caregivers were not associated with the suspected delay in language development. The study suggested that a decrease in daily screen time and appropriate responses will help develop language in children.

Automated summary

This study investigated the suspected delay in language development and its associated factors among early childhood in Southern Thailand. The results showed that the prevalence of suspected delay in development was 40.9%. Exceeding 2 hours of daily screen time and having a moderate-to-difficult temperament were significantly associated with the suspected delay in language development. The study suggested reducing screen time and implementing appropriate responses to promote children's language development.