DefinePK

Research Objective

To determine the prevalence of delayed speech in children of working and non-working mothers in Lahore, Pakistan, and to investigate if the working status of mothers affects speech and language development in their children.

Methodology

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at three tertiary care hospitals and two universities in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 288 mothers (144 working, 144 non-working) with children aged 2 to 5 years were recruited using convenience sampling. Data on maternal age, education, income, working status, caregiver, family structure, screen time, child's gender, birth order, and schooling status were collected using a structured questionnaire and a developmental tool from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Socioeconomic status was assessed using the modified Kuppuswamy scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, employing descriptive and bivariate analyses (chi-square and student t-test).

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Recruit Mothers and Children"] --> B["Collect Data: Maternal Info, Child's Speech Development, SES"];
    B --> C["Analyze Data using SPSS"];
    C --> D["Descriptive Analysis"];
    C --> E["Bivariate Analysis Chi-square, t-test"];
    D --> F["Determine Prevalence"];
    E --> G["Identify Associated Factors"];
    F --> H["Report Findings"];
    G --> H;                    

Discussion

The study found a prevalence of delayed speech (29.1%) comparable to some studies from India but higher than others. The lack of association between maternal working status and speech delay aligns with some international findings. The significant association with male gender, birth order, and schooling status suggests these are important factors to consider. The study noted a higher prevalence of delayed speech in children from higher income groups, which could be attributed to increased screen time and less parental attention, contrasting with some studies linking lower socioeconomic status to delayed speech. The authors emphasize that late talking should not be neglected due to its potential impact on socialization and school readiness.

Key Findings

The overall prevalence of delayed speech in children was 29.1%. Children of working mothers had a prevalence of 30.6%, while children of non-working mothers had a prevalence of 27.8%. No significant relationship was found between the working status of mothers and speech delay. Significant relationships were observed between delayed speech and gender (more common in males), birth order (more common in children with birth order less than 3), and schooling status (more common in children not attending school). Socioeconomic status showed no significant association with delayed speech in this study, with a higher percentage of delayed speech children belonging to the middle class.

Conclusion

The prevalence of speech and language delay in toddlers in Lahore, Pakistan, is 29.1%. Maternal working status was not found to be significantly associated with delayed speech in children. However, gender, birth order, and schooling status were identified as significant factors related to delayed speech.

Fact Check

1. Prevalence of delayed speech: The study reports an overall prevalence of delayed speech in children as 29.1%.
2. Working mothers' children with delayed speech: 44 (30.6%) children of working mothers had delayed speech.
3. Non-working mothers' children with delayed speech: 40 (27.8%) children of non-working mothers had delayed speech.

Mind Map