(P17-022-23) Maternal and Child Nutrition, Parenting Behaviors, and Early Childhood Development: Evidence From Lao PDR

Objectives: Quantify associations between early childhood development, maternal and child nutrition, and parenting behaviors using the data from 2017 Lao Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).

Methods: Data for 4,833 children aged 36-59 months were collected by the Lao Statistics Bureau as part of the Global MICS Program. Observed developmental outcomes included indicators overall (Early Childhood Development Index, ECDI) and in four domains: literacy-numeracy, physical, socioemotional, and learning. Predictors of child development included child and maternal anemia, child nutritional status, caregiver-reported parenting behaviors, and characteristics of the home learning environment. Weighted bivariate analyses were used to measure associations among predictor variables and developmental outcomes.

Results: Children were developmentally on track overall, but only 24% were on track for literacy-numeracy. Thirty-nine percent of children were stunted and 37% were anemic. Among children not developmentally on track, 72% were also stunted, anemic, or both. Stunted children were less likely to be on track in literacy-numeracy. Maternal and child anemia was not associated with literacy-numeracy. Children exposed to learning materials were more likely to be on track overall and in literacy-numeracy. Fathers were less likely than mothers to engage in child stimulation activities positively associated with increased likelihood of literacy-numeracy. We found 44% of children experienced physical punishment during the previous month, while 69% experienced psychological aggression. Children who experienced severe physical punishment or psychological aggression were less likely to be on track for literacy-numeracy.

Conclusions: The home learning environment and behaviors of both parents are associated with early child development, particularly in literacy and numeracy, in Lao PDR. The co-occurrence of poor development, poor nutritional status, and anemia indicate the potential importance of jointly addressing nutrition and development in this context.

Funding Sources: This work was made possible, in part, through support from USAID/Laos as a supplement to a USAID Cooperative Agreement #7200AA18CA00009 (LASER-PULSE) to Purdue University. Contents reflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of USAID.