Peer-reviewed article
Nutritional and Socioeconomic Determinants of Early Childhood Development in Bangladesh: A Survey-Adjusted Partial Proportional Odds Analysis of the 2019 MICS
Shirin Sultana ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This study used data from the 2019 Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey to look at what is linked to early development in children aged 3 to 4 years. Development was scored across four areas: literacy-numeracy, physical, social-emotional and learning. Of 8,752 children, 73.3% were on track, 23.6% were partially on track and 3.2% were not on track. Children without functional disabilities, children who were not stunted, and children whose mothers were more educated or whose households were wealthier were more likely to be on track. Attending early childhood education and being female were also linked to better outcomes.
Key points
- 73.3% of the 8,752 children were developmentally on track, 23.6% partially on track and 3.2% not on track.
- Children without functional disabilities had higher odds of being on track (AOR = 3.93).
- Stunted children had 17% lower odds of optimal developmental outcomes (AOR = 0.83).
- Higher maternal education (AOR = 1.17 per level) and greater household wealth (AOR = 1.11 per quintile) were linked to better development.
- Attending early childhood education programs (AOR = 1.53) and being female (AOR = 1.40) were positively associated with developmental attainment.
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional survey analysis, so it shows associations and cannot show that nutrition, education or wealth cause better development. The abstract gives no detail on how well the survey-based development index captures children's actual development.
Abstract
Early childhood development (ECD) is the foundation for health, cognitive ability, and social and economic productivity throughout life. Nutritional deprivation and socio-economic inequality continue to constrain developmental potential in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the nutritional, socio-economic, and caregiving factors associated with early childhood development among children aged 3–4 years in Bangladesh. Data from the 2019 Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), a nationally representative survey, were analyzed. The Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) was constructed across four domains: literacy-numeracy, physical, social-emotional, and learning. A three-level ordinal outcome (not on track, partially on track, and on track) was derived. Survey-adjusted partial proportional odds models were estimated using Stata 17 to account for the complex sampling design. The proportional odds assumption was evaluated using a design-adjusted Wald test. Among the 8,752 children included in the analysis, 73.3% were developmentally on track, 23.6% were partially on track, and 3.2% were not on track. After adjustment, children without functional disabilities had substantially higher odds of being developmentally on track (AOR = 3.93). Stunted children had 17% lower odds of optimal developmental outcomes (AOR = 0.83). Higher maternal education (AOR = 1.17 per level increase), greater household wealth (AOR = 1.11 per quintile increase), attendance in early childhood education programs (AOR = 1.53), female sex (AOR = 1.40), and increasing age were positively associated with developmental attainment. The interplay of nutritional, socio-economic, and caregiving factors significantly shapes early childhood development in Bangladesh. Developmental outcomes can be improved through interventions addressing child undernutrition, educational inequality, and disability inclusion. A comprehensive and equitable policy framework is necessary to maximize opportunities for children's early development.