DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2023.v11i05.029

Pages: 976-983

Background: Speech and language disorders are amongst the most common developmental difficulties. The current study was aimed to identify the factors associated with speech and language disorder in children attending a child development center. Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study was carried out at Saleh Child Development & Disability Management Centre of ICMH, Dhaka from July 2020 to June 2021. Children with speech and language disorder attending the speech clinic were enrolled. According to complaints of parents and confirmed by a multidisciplinary team, cases were selected purposively and after taking consent a pre-tested questionnaire was filled up by a face-to-face interview. Results: Among participating children majority belonged to age group 4-5 years with male predominance. Almost three fourth patients came from nuclear family. History of perinatal asphyxia and neonatal seizure were found in 9(31.0%) and 8(27.6%) cases, respectively. Majority 28(96.6%) mother was primary care giver. Family history of speech delay was seen in 15(51.7%). Most of the children view TV/play computer games > 2 hours/day. Majority had first meaninful word at 23-36 month and parents had identified speech dealy on 25-36 months. 14 children had poor chewing and 2 had drooling. Majority (37.9%) children were delayed receptive, 13(44.8%) were delayed expressive, 9(31.0%) were both delayed receptive and expressive and 5(17.2%) were stammering. Conclusion: Male gender, care giver other than mother, nuclear family, perinatal asphyxia, neonatal complications, family history of speech delay, TV/Computer/Tab watching >2 hrs were associated with speech and language disorder.