Cross‐cultural validity of standardized motor development screening and assessment tools: a systematic review

Mendonça, Bianca; Sargent, Barbara; Fetters, Linda

doi:10.1111/dmcn.13263

Cited by 52 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Children’s development depends on multiple factors, including childrearing practices that are culture-specific. Therefore, using development tools without validating them in the cultural and socioeconomic context where they will be used can lead to an under- or over-estimation of ECD [8]. Some experiences exist across the world of contextualized ECD screening tools for specific populations in India, Pakistan, and Zambia [9], Malawi [10], Sri Lanka [11], Cambodia [12], and Aboriginal Australia [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool for children in the Dominican Republic: Preliminary results

2019

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Background This study initiated the validation process of a translated and adapted version of the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) for children in the Dominican Republic (DR). Like Malawi before the development of the MDAT, the DR did not have early childhood development (ECD) tools explicitly designed for low-resource areas that are also valid assessments of child development. We chose MDAT because it underwent a rigorous validation process and retained measurements of test items that were culturally adaptable from the Denver Developmental Screening Test II. We aimed to test the internal consistency and inter-rater reliability of the MDAT in children under the age of two years living in low-income neighborhoods in Santo Domingo in 2017. Methods and findings Forty-two children from 2 to 24 months of age (mean = 11.26, SD = 6.37, boys = 22, girls = 20) and their corresponding caregiver participated in the study. We conducted a cross-sectional, pre-experimental study. The primary outcome measure was an index of ECD, as assessed by the Dominican adaptation of the MDAT. The tool evaluates children in four domains: social, fine motor, language, and gross motor. To determine internal consistency, we obtained Spearman-Brown split-half reliability for each sub-scale. The results showed a good consistency (>.6) for social, fine motor, and gross motor, and an acceptable consistency (>.5) for language. Second, to test the inter-rater reliability, we conducted a Kendall’s Taub test of independence for both the general scale and each sub-scale. Significant r τ scores ranged from .923 to .966, indicating appropriate inter-rater reliability. Third, we correlated the age variable with each subscale to determine if the development scale followed a progression of abilities that are expected to increase with maturation. The age variable correlated positively with all the subscales (social r = .887, p < .001; fine motor r = .799, p < .001; language r = .834, p < .001; gross motor r = .805, p < .001), indicating that the older the child, the better scores in the development measurements, as expected. There were no adverse events. This study, however, has multiple limitations. We did not gather information about socioeconomic position, which is an important variable when assessing child development; however, all participants lived in a low-income neighborhood. Given that this is the first ECD tool specific to the Dominican Republic, norm-referenced scores for the Dominican population do not yet exist. This study sample size is insufficient to make inferences about the national population. Conclusions This study represents the first attempt to obtain a valid tool to screen for development milestones in children living in poverty in the DR. More research is needed to refine the instrument. The availability of the tool will enable impact evaluations of ECD intervention programs and the development of evidence-based public po...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool for children in the Dominican Republic: Preliminary results

2019

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“…[13][14][15][16][17][18][19] This may be explained by quite different nutritional strategies used in these infants 20 or by unknown factors. While protein and energy intakes are determinant for body composition of growing preterm infants, higher protein-toenergy ratio (PER) seems particularly relevant to avoid excessive adiposity 21 and promote FFM accretion. 18 Appropriate indicators should be used to assess growth and body composition in growing preterm infants.…”

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confidence: 99%

Associations of Measured Protein and Energy Intakes with Growth and Adiposity in Human Milk-Fed Preterm Infants at Term Postmenstrual Age: A Cohort Study

2018

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“…Many studies relied on the use of psychometric tools validated for Western populations for measuring early cognitive and motor development in Sub‐Saharan African countries. The use of assessment tools used in Western cultures has been shown to be somewhat problematic ( 70 ) . Motor and cognitive development need to be assessed in relation to cultural and environmental factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition, growth, and other factors associated with early cognitive and motor development in Sub‐Saharan Africa: a scoping review

French

Outhwaite

Langley‐Evans

et al. 2020

J Human Nutrition Diet

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Background: Food insecurity, poverty and exposure to infectious disease are well-established drivers of malnutrition in children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Early development of cognitive and motor skillsthe foundations for learningmay also be compromised by the same or additional factors that restrict physical growth. However, little is known about factors associated with early child development in this region, which limits the scope to intervene effectively. To address this knowledge gap, we compared studies that have examined factors associated with early cognitive and/or motor development within this population. Methods: Predetermined criteria were used to examine four publication databases (PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science and Medline) and identify studies considering the determinants of cognitive and motor development in children aged 0-8 years in Sub-Saharan Africa. Results: In total, 51 quantitative studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 30% of countries across the region. Within these papers, factors associated with early child development were grouped into five themes: Nutrition, Growth and Anthropometry, Maternal Health, Malaria and HIV, and Household. Food security and dietary diversity were associated with positive developmental outcomes, whereas exposure to HIV, malaria, poor maternal mental health, poor sanitation, maternal alcohol abuse and stunting were indicators of poor cognitive and motor development. Discussion: In this synthesis of research findings obtained across Sub-Saharan Africa, factors that restrict physical growth are also shown to hinder the development of early cognitive and motor skills, although additional factors also influence early developmental outcomes. The study also reviews the methodological limitations of conducting research using Western methods in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Cross‐cultural validity of standardized motor development screening and assessment tools: a systematic review

Abstract: Standardized motor development assessments have limited validity in cultures other than that in which the normative sample was established. Their use can result in under- or over-referral for services.

Cited by 52 publications

References 66 publications

Validation of the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool for children in the Dominican Republic: Preliminary results

Validation of the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool for children in the Dominican Republic: Preliminary results

Associations of Measured Protein and Energy Intakes with Growth and Adiposity in Human Milk-Fed Preterm Infants at Term Postmenstrual Age: A Cohort Study

Nutrition, growth, and other factors associated with early cognitive and motor development in Sub‐Saharan Africa: a scoping review

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