Relations of maternal health literacy and parenting practices with early childhood development: a cross-sectional study

Oflu A., YALÇIN S. S.

International Journal of Environmental Health Research, vol.34, no.3, pp.1540-1550, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2227582
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Environmental Health Research
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Geobase, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.1540-1550
  • Keywords: Early childhood development, maternal health literacy, parenting practices
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relations of early childhood development with maternal health literacy and mothers’ early parenting practices. This cross-sectional study was conducted on mothers with children aged 36–59 months (n = 503) with a survey form, Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) and Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32. Children of mothers with sufficient/excellent health literacy levels, children who are breastfed for 12 months and longer, and children with a screen time of 2 h or less were more likely to be ECDI-on-track (AOR (CI) = 2.52 (1.53–4.15); 2.28 (1.41–3.70); 2.04 (1.18–3.50); respectively). In conclusion, children whose mothers were adequately health literate, who were breastfed longer and who had less screen time were better on ECDI indicators. Increasing the knowledge and skills of mothers on early parenting practices and supporting them to be good health literacy will contribute positively to the early development of children.