Housing environment and early childhood development in sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-sectional analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The influence of the safety and security of environments on early childhood development (ECD) has been under-explored. Although housing might be linked to ECD by affecting a child's health and a parent's ability to provide adequate care, only a few studies have examined this factor. We hypothesized that housing environment is associated with ECD in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods and findings

From 92,433 children aged 36 to 59 months who participated in Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in 20 SSA countries, 88,271 were tested for cognitive and social-emotional development using the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) questionnaire and were thus included in this cross-sectional analysis. Children's mean age was 47.2 months, and 49.8% were girls. Child

SUBMITTER: Gao Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8092764 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature