The Effect of health literacy and parenting behavior enhancement program on monitoring developmental delays in children aged 0-5 years.

Abstract

     This study investigated the effects of a health literacy and behavior enhancement program for parents of children aged 0-5 years in monitoring developmental delays. A quasi-experimental research design using a one-group pretest-posttest design was employed. The objectives were to study the health literacy and behavior of parents of children aged 0-5 years in monitoring developmental delays, and to examine the effectiveness of the health literacy and behavior enhancement program. The sample consisted of 30 parents of children aged 0-5 years residing in Villages 3, 4, and 5, Bang Kaeo Fa Subdistrict, Nakhon Chai Si District, Nakhon Pathom Province in 2025 (equal to the number of children aged 0-5 years in 2025). Data were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using content analysis, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and paired t-test.

     The health literacy and behaviors of parents of children aged 0-5 years in monitoring developmental delays after participating in the program were found to be at a high level overall and in individual aspects, including knowledge and understanding of health information, access to health information and services, and making correct decisions. Aspects at a moderate level included communication, self-management, and media literacy. The health literacy and behaviors of parents of children aged 0-5 years in monitoring developmental delays after the program were also found to be at a good level overall and in individual aspects, except for fine motor skills and cognitive abilities, which were at a moderate level. A comparison of health literacy and behaviors of parents of children aged 0-5 years in monitoring developmental delays before and after the program showed a statistically significant difference at the .05 level, with the average scores after the program being significantly higher than before the program.