Environmental and personal factors that explain functional abilities and caregiver assistance on children aged 6 to 18 months: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

This study investigated environmental and personal factors that explain functional skills and caregiver assistance in young infants/toddlers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving seventy-four children with typical development between 6 and 18 months of age. Functioning skills were evaluated using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, and the home environment was evaluated using the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale. Statistical analyses were performed by regression models. Results: Child's age explained 45% of self-care (β = 0.68); child's age (β = 0.72), attending daycare (β = 0.33) explained 71% of mobility, and child's age (β = 0.80) and breastfeeding duration (β = 0.17) explained 69% of social function. With regards to caregiver assistance, child's age (β = 0.46), attending daycare (β = 0.20) and number of siblings (β = -0.22) explained 31% of self-care; child's age (β = 0.62) and attending daycare (β = 0.34) explained 56% of mobility; and child's age (β = 1.91) and total AHEMD-IS score (environment) (β = 2.63) explained 30% of social function. Conclusion: Daycare, breastfeeding duration, number of siblings, stimulation at home, and age explained functional skills and caregiver assistance to toddlers/infants.

Does the quality of the home environment influence the functional abilities of infants in early childhood?

“…Those who showed any type of diagnosed disability and reported in the registration form of the project were excluded. A 0.20 effect, 0.05 α, and 0.8 power were considered to estimate the sample size, resulting in 70 participants 10 .…”

“…The version for infants aged from three to 18 months consists of 35 questions divided into four dimensions: (1) physical space (internal and external space); (2) variety of stimulation; (3) fine motor skills toys; (4) gross motor skills toys. The scores were estimated with the aid of a calculator created by Pereira et al 10 . The calculator offers the total classification of stimulation opportunities in the home environment and their dimensions in "inadequate," "moderately adequate," "adequate," and "excellent.…”

A qualidade do ambiente domiciliar influencia nas habilidades funcionais de crianças na primeiríssima infância?

“…Foram excluídas aquelas que apresentavam qualquer tipo de deficiência diagnosticada e registrada na ficha cadastral do projeto. Para calcular o tamanho da amostra, foi considerado um efeito 0,20, α de 0,05 e um poder de 0,8, resultando em 70 participantes 10 .…”

“…A versão para crianças entre 3 e 18 meses consiste em 35 perguntas divididas em quatro dimensões: (1) espaço físico (espaço interno e externo); (2) variedade de estimulação; (3) brinquedos de motricidade fina; (4) motricidade grossa. Os escores foram calculados com o auxílio de uma calculadora criada por Pereira et al 10 . A calculadora fornece a classificação total das oportunidades de estimulação no ambiente domiciliar e suas dimensões em "menos que adequado", "moderadamente adequado", "adequado" e "excelente".…”