A holistic approach to promoting early child development: a cluster randomised trial of a group-based, multicomponent intervention in rural Bangladesh. Issue 3 (16th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pitchik, Helen O; Tofail, Fahmida; Rahman, Mahbubur; Akter, Fahmida; Sultana, Jesmin; Shoab, Abul Kasham; Huda, Tarique Md. Nurul; Jahir, Tania; Amin, Md Ruhul; Hossain, Md Khobair; Das, Jyoti Bhushan; Chung, Esther O; Byrd, Kendra A; Yeasmin, Farzana; Kwong, Laura H; Forsyth, Jenna E; Mridha, Malay K; Winch, Peter J; Luby, Stephen P; Fernald, Lia CH
• Is Part Of: BMJ global health. Volume 6:Issue 3(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03-16
• Subjects: cluster randomized trial -- maternal health -- child health -- prevention strategies; World health -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7908

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: In low- and middle-income countries, children experience multiple risks for delayed development. We evaluated a multicomponent, group-based early child development intervention including behavioural recommendations on responsive stimulation, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, mental health and lead exposure prevention. Methods: We conducted a 9-month, parallel, multiarm, cluster-randomised controlled trial in 31 rural villages in Kishoreganj District, Bangladesh. Villages were randomly allocated to: group sessions ('group'); alternating groups and home visits ('combined'); or a passive control arm. Sessions were delivered fortnightly by trained community members. The primary outcome was child stimulation (Family Care Indicators); the secondary outcome was child development (Ages and Stages Questionnaire Inventory, ASQi). Other outcomes included dietary diversity, latrine status, use of a child potty, handwashing infrastructure, caregiver mental health and knowledge of lead. Analyses were intention to treat. Data collectors were independent from implementers. Results: In July–August 2017, 621 pregnant women and primary caregivers of children<15 months were enrolled (group n=160, combined n=160, control n=301). At endline, immediately following intervention completion (July–August 2018), 574 participants were assessed (group n=144, combined n=149, control n=281). Primary caregivers in both intervention arms participated in more play activities than control caregivers (age-adjusted means: group 4.22, 95% CI 3.97 to 4.47; combined 4.77, 4.60 to 4.96; control 3.24, 3.05 to 3.39), and provided a larger variety of play materials (age-adjusted means: group 3.63, 3.31 to 3.96; combined 3.81, 3.62 to 3.99; control 2.48, 2.34 to 2.59). Compared with the control arm, children in the group arm had higher total ASQi scores (adjusted mean difference in standardised scores: 0.39, 0.15 to 0.64), while in the combined arm scores were not significantly different from the control (0.25, –0.07 to 0.54). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that group-based, multicomponent interventions can be effective at improving child development outcomes in rural Bangladesh, and that they have the potential to be delivered at scale. Trial registration number: The trial is registered in ISRCTN (ISRCTN16001234 ).