CHIGURU Adivasi Birth Cohort Study: A Protocol for Examining the Effects of Parental Substance Use on Child Development in Southern Indian Adivasi Communities

Abstract

Background: Children of parents who use tobacco and alcohol are at increased risk for a variety of adverse outcomes, including emotional, social, behavioral, and cognitive problems. Parental smoking and alcohol use can also lead to nutrient deficiencies in children, as well as poor birth outcomes such as restricted growth. Among adivasi communities, disproportionately higher malnutrition, and increasing substance use could be contributing to persistent and inter-generational developmental disadvantages. However, there is limited research on the long-term health implications of parental substance use on children after birth. The proposed study will examine the effects of parental substance use on child growth and developmental outcomes in adivasi communities in southern Karnataka. Methods: The research design involves a longitudinal cohort study, in which lactating/postnatal women and their partners along with other household members are recruited. This is the first large-scale adivasi birth cohort study to examine the effects of substance use among parents and other family members after delivery on infant growth and developmental indices. Information on the household socio-demographics, wealth index, diet, delivery information, depression, social support, morbidity status, substance use details, and child development with anthropometric details in baseline and follow-up visits shall be recorded. The study targets to recruit a sample size of 650 newborns and family members. The primary outcome is child growth parameters whereas the secondary outcome is early childhood development in terms of gross motor, fine motor, language, and social domain. The total duration of the study is five years (2021-2026). Discussion: The study offers a comprehensive examination of parental substance use and its effect on child development in an adivasi community in south India. This will help researchers identify significant risk thresholds and better understand the consequences of parental substance use on infant development utilizing the prospective adivasi family cohort. The study will also address the long-term under-representation and neglect of such studies among adivasi populations and enable a long-term research engagement with the community. The study could inform policy and practice related to addressing substance use disorders and their effects on children. The public health implications include prioritizing the issues of parental substance use, and identification of early interventions to prevent adverse health outcomes in children.