Concurrent validity of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Inventory and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development in rural Bangladesh

Helen O. Pitchik, Fahmida Tofail, Fahmida Akter, Abul K.M. Shoab, Jesmin Sultana, Tarique M.N. Huda, Mahbubur Rahman, Peter J. Winch, Stephen P. Luby, Lia C.H. Fernald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Reliable and valid measurement of early child development are necessary for the design of effective interventions, programs, and policies to improve early child outcomes. One widely used measure in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III (Bayley-III). Alternatively, the Bangladeshi-adapted Ages and Stages Questionnaire Inventory (ASQ:I) can be administered more quickly, inexpensively, and with less training than the Bayley-III. We aimed to assess the concurrent validity of the Bangladeshi-adapted ASQ:I with the Bayley-III in children 4–27 months old in rural Bangladesh. Methods: The sample was a sub-sample (n = 244) of endline participants from an evaluation of an early child development intervention (July–August 2018). We assessed concurrent validity between internally age-standardized domain-specific and total scores using Pearson correlations both overall and stratified by age and intervention status. We also assessed correlations between scores and variables theoretically related to child development including maternal education and stimulation in the home. Results: The overall correlation between ASQ:I and Bayley-III total scores was moderate (r = 0.42 95% CI: 0.30–0.53), with no systematic differences by intervention status. Overall, concurrent validity was highest for the gross motor domain (r = 0.51, 0.40–0.60), and lowest for the fine motor domain (r = 0.20, 0.04–0.33). Total ASQ:I and Bayley-III scores were positively correlated with child stimulation and maternal education. Conclusion: The Bangladeshi-adapted ASQ:I is a low-cost tool that can be feasibly administered in rural Bangladesh, is moderately correlated with the Bayley-III, and can be used to measure child development when human, time, or financial resources are constrained.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number93
JournalBMC Pediatrics
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2023

Keywords

  • Ages and Stages Questionnaire Inventory, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development
  • Early child assessment
  • Early child development

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Concurrent validity of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire Inventory and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development in rural Bangladesh'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this