Health Disparities
Developmental vulnerability in children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Western Australia: a population-based study Kendalem Atalell* Kendalem Atalell Gavin Pereira Bereket Duko Sylvester Nyadanu Vegard Skirbekk Gizachew Tessema
Background: Early childhood developmental adversities have long-term effects on educational outcomes, overall health outcomes and well-being. However, the developmental outcomes of children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds remain unclear. This study explores and compares these outcomes between CALD and non-CALD children in Australia.
Method: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study of 59,925 children using data from the 2009-2015 Australian Early Development Censuses (AEDC), Midwives Notification System (MNS), and Hospital Morbidity Data Collections (HMDC). Developmental vulnerability was defined as developmental domain scores <10th percentile across five AEDC domains such as physical health and well-being, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills and communication skills and general knowledge. CALD status was defined using the following criteria: speaking English as a second language, using a language other than English at home, a child born outside Australia, or being born to a non-Caucasian mother. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between CALD background and developmental vulnerability.
Result: Among 10,048 CALD and 49,877 non-CALD children, 23.7% of CALD children experienced vulnerability in at least one domain compared to 19.6% of non-CALD (P < 0.001). Adjusted analyses showed CALD children had 23% higher odds of vulnerability in at least one domain (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.16–1.31) and DV2 (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.13–1.33). CALD children had over twofold higher odds of vulnerability in communication skills and general knowledge (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.99–2.34) and 37% higher odds in language and cognitive skills (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.25–1.51).
Conclusion: This study found a higher developmental vulnerability burden among CALD children than their non-CALD counterparts, particularly in the communication skills and general knowledge domains. Strengthening culturally sensitive practices and providing additional resources to CALD families may help reduce developmental vulnerability disparities and promote equitable educational outcomes.