Magnitude of Developmental Delay and Its Associated Factors among Nine Month Infants in South Wollo Zone, Dessie City Public Health Facilities 2024

Abstract Introduction: Developmental delay is a condition where a child fails to reach the five developmental domains at the expected age. Children who are developmentally delayed are less likely to be productive. Objective:-To assess the magnitude of developmental delay and associated factors among infants at the age of 9 month attending public health facilities of Dessie city, Ethiopia, in 2024. Methods:-An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 30 to April 30, 2024. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Developmental delay was assessed using the Age and Stage Questionnaires, Version 3. Data were collected through a face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into EPI-Data version 4.7software and exported to STATA version 17 for analysis. In the multivariable analysis, variables with a p-value less than 0.05 were considered significantly associated with developmental delay. Result: -In this study the magnitude of developmental delay was 102 (26.5%) with a 95% CI (22.2, 31.2). More delay was observed in gross motor 132 (34.3%), followed by communication (30.9%), problem solving 112 (29.1%), personal and social 110 (28.6%), and fine motor skill 78 (20.3%). Maternal education level no formal education [AOR = 4.16, 95% CI (1.29, 13.42)], primary education [AOR = 5.48, 95% CI (1.84, 16.27)], previous sibling history of developmental delay [AOR = 6.67, 95% CI (1.55, 29.43)], and didn’t iron intake during pregnancy [AOR = 3.56, 95% CI (1.24, 10.13)] were significantly associated with developmental delay with p-value <0.05. Conclusion and recommendation: - The prevalence of developmental delay among infants was 26.5%. Maternal education level, previous sibling history of developmental delay, and iron intake during pregnancy were significantly associated. Public health efforts focus on promoting awareness, access to iron-rich foods and supplementation, and routine monitoring to address iron deficiency and ensure optimal developmental outcomes for infants.