The relationship of mothers' health literacy and early parenting practices with early childhood development

Early childhood development (ECD) is a critical process of child health and mothers have an active role in this early stage of development. Mothers, who are the child's closest environment, can affect the child's development with both early parenting practices and health literacy skills. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between ECD and mothers' health literacy and early parenting practices. This cross-sectional study, conducted in 15 family health centers between 15.03.2020 and 20.08.2021, was carried out on mothers with 36-59 months old children. Data were obtained by sociodemographic and personal characteristics information form, Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) and Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 (THLS-32). Sociodemographic characteristics of mother-child couples, general reading habits of mothers and parenting practices of mothers were questioned with sociodemographic and personal characteristics information form. The normal developmental status of the children was evaluated with ECDI. Children who pass at least three of four domains of ECDI were considered to develope normally and referred as 'ECDI-on-track' The health literacy levels of the mothers were determined with the THLS-32 and the mothers were classified as insufficient, problematic-limited, sufficient and excellent health literate. 503 mother-child couples were included in the study. It was found that the children of mothers with sufficient or excellent health literacy levels were more likely to be ECDI-on-track [Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] [95% Confidence Interval (CI)]: 2.52 (1.53-4.15)]. When the relationship between ECD and mothers' parenting practices was examined, it was shown that children who were breastfed for 12 months or longer and children with screen time 2 hours or less were more likely to be ECDI-on-track (AOR (%95 CI):2.28 (1.41-3.70), 2.04 (1.18-3.50); respectively). This study showed that maternal health literacy and early parenting practices were associated with ECD. For the success of mother-centered interventions for early childhood development, mothers' health literacy skills and early parenting practices need to be developed.