As practitioners in the educational and therapeutic field, understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of parents regarding developmental milestones is crucial. A recent study titled Evaluating the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Saudi Arabian Parents Regarding Red Flags in Developmental Milestones provides valuable insights that can help us enhance our skills and encourage further research.
Key Findings from the Study
The study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of 1,052 Saudi parents using a 38-item questionnaire. The results revealed significant gaps in parents' understanding of developmental milestones, particularly in the areas of motor skills and social behaviors. Only 0.2% of participants had excellent knowledge, while 46.6% had poor knowledge.
Major Knowledge Gaps
- Only 29.4% knew that a child should be able to crawl by nine months.
- 27.6% recognized that a child should sit without support by six months.
- 41.8% correctly identified that a child should respond to their name by six months.
How Can Practitioners Improve?
Given these gaps, practitioners can play a pivotal role in educating parents and improving developmental outcomes. Here are some actionable steps:
1. Enhance Communication
Effective communication between practitioners and parents is essential. Make sure to provide clear, concise information about developmental milestones during consultations and follow-ups.
2. Use Educational Materials
Develop and distribute easy-to-understand educational materials that outline key developmental milestones and red flags. Visual aids and interactive tools can be particularly effective.
3. Encourage Parental Involvement
Encourage parents to actively participate in their child's developmental monitoring. Provide resources and training sessions to help them understand what to look for and when to seek professional advice.
4. Leverage Technology
Utilize online platforms like TinyEYE to offer virtual consultations and developmental assessments. This can be particularly beneficial for parents who may have limited access to healthcare facilities.
5. Promote Regular Screenings
Advocate for regular developmental screenings during pediatric visits. Early detection of developmental delays can lead to timely interventions, significantly improving outcomes.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides valuable insights, more research is needed to fully understand the sociodemographic factors influencing parental knowledge and practices. Encouraging further research in this area can help develop targeted interventions to bridge the knowledge gap.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Evaluating the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Saudi Arabian Parents Regarding Red Flags in Developmental Milestones.
