Early Stimulation in Children Aged 3 to 5 Years: A Correlational Study on Knowledge and Practices in Caregivers

Authors

  • Moraima Del Toro Rubio  University of Cartagena, Colombia
  • Keydis Sulay Ruydiaz Gómez Universidad de Sinú, Colombia
  • Irma Castillo Ávila University of Cartagena, Colombia
  • Luis Reinaldo Alvis Estrada University of Cartagena, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.40.02.005.852

Keywords:

knowledge, caregivers, child development, public health practice

Abstract

Aim: Identify the knowledge and practices of caregivers about early stimulation in children aged 3 to 5 years from three neighborhoods located in Cartagena (Bolívar).

Methodology: Quantitative, correlational study. The reference population was 3,344 children aged 3 to 5 years living in three neighborhoods of the city of Cartagena. For the collection of information, an instrument  at consists of 3 sections: 1. Sociodemographic aspects,  2. Knowledge about early stimulation, 3. Practices on early stimulation. The forms were typed into a database according to the study variables.  The chi-square analysis was 5%, and p values <0.05 were considered significant.

Results: A sample size  of 359 caregivers and parents of children was estimated, taking as reference three first-level care centers in the city of Cartagena.  The caregivers were mothers (61.8%), aged 30 – 39 years (42.6%), living in a free union (42.6%), having technical/technological studies (44.8%), are from stratum 1 (38.4%). Knowledge was regular (82.5%) and practices were good (82.5%). The practices were correlated with the age of the child (p: 0.012), the age of the caregiver (p: 0.000) and with their marital status (p: 0.000) (in Health Center 1), with the gender of the child (p: 0.049) (in Health Center 2), and with the origin of the child (p: 0.002) (in Health Center 3).

Conclusions: caregivers of children from 3 to 5 years old from 3 neighborhoods of Cartagena have regular knowledge and good practices of early stimulation.

Author Biographies

Moraima Del Toro Rubio,  University of Cartagena, Colombia

Nurse, Master in education. Research professor, Rafael Núñez University Corporation,  University of Cartagena, Nursing Program, Cartagena, Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6710-5171  http://scienti.colciencias.gov.co:8081/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0000351750

Keydis Sulay Ruydiaz Gómez, Universidad de Sinú, Colombia

Enfermera de la Universidad de Cartagena. Doctorado en Enfermería. Profesora Investigadora, Universidad del Sinú EBZ, Escuela de Enfermería, Cartagena, Colombia. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9335-8930 https://scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0001491365

Irma Castillo Ávila , University of Cartagena, Colombia

Nurse, Master in public health. Research Professor, University of Cartagena, Faculty of Nursing. Cartagena, Colombia. : icastilloa@unicartagena.edu.co, https://orcid.org/0000-000244230874

Luis Reinaldo Alvis Estrada, University of Cartagena, Colombia

Master in public health Research Professor, University of Cartagena, Faculty of Nursing. Cartagena, Colombia. lalvise@unisinucartagena.edu.co , https://orcid.org/000-0002-2977-7388

Published

2024-05-20

How to Cite

Del Toro Rubio, M., Ruydiaz Gómez, K. S., Castillo Ávila , I., & Alvis Estrada, L. R. . (2024). Early Stimulation in Children Aged 3 to 5 Years: A Correlational Study on Knowledge and Practices in Caregivers. Salud Uninorte, 40(2), 431–445. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.40.02.005.852

Issue

Section

Original Article