Open Collections

Abstract

Background and Aims: Almost half (20 million) of all estimated sepsis, severe and life threatening infection cases worldwide occurred in children under 5 years of age (Sepsis, n.d.) especially in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Uganda. While 80%-85% of children will survive sepsis, research from higher income countries reports that more than one-third will be left with neurodevelopmental delays. These delays may be preventable through early detection using a valid, inexpensive, fast, and easy-to-use (by front line health workers) screening tool, available for LMICs for children from birth to age 5 years. However, there are no single tools that are reliable and valid (fit for the purpose of screening for neurodevelopmental delays) for Uganda. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the initial psychometric properties of a new screening tool, OptiDev. Methods: In Uganda, 659 neonates were screened from birth to 24 months of age using the OptiDev. Using Cronbach’s alpha and inter-item correlations, I evaluated the item reliability, construct & structural validity of the OptiDev determining if, the Optidev items would fit together in measuring a unidimensional construct, and whether or not if the OptiDev would demonstrate differential item functioning by age and sex at birth. Results: The inter-item correlations & Cronbach’s alpha values obtained for the 6,12,18 and 24 months age groups were 0.03, 0.87, 0.85, 0.76 and 0.28, 0.93, 0.96 & 0.91 respectively. Additionally, the item total correlations analysed were 0.06, 0.03, 0.05, 0.01 for same age groups respectively. Conclusion: I found the the Optidev items were reliable and valid in screening neurodevelopment in children aged 12, 18 and 24 months in Uganda. Use of this tool could be an important first step in preventing and ameliorating lifelong developmental challenges in these children post-sepsis in Uganda.