Developmental profile of Filipino children born during the SARS-COV-2 pandemic: pilot study
The Philippines experienced one of the longest lockdown periods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many concerns rang through the hearts of the Filipino people, one of which was the development of children who were born and raised in the limited confines of their homes.
This study aimed to provide a developmental profile of 18–25 month-old children, as well as identify factors associated with their development. This pilot study was conducted in daycare centers in Cainta, Rizal, Philippines. Children were screened using the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Checklist while parents were interviewed about demographic and social factors.
Key Findings
- Children scored within the average developmental range despite the pandemic’s challenges.
- Girls showed higher overall developmental scores than boys, particularly in language and cognitive domains.
- Children with mothers who completed high school had higher developmental scores, highlighting the importance of maternal education.
- Larger households were linked to better self-help and social-emotional skills, suggesting that extended family support during lockdowns played a protective role.
There were both protective and hindering factors associated with the children’s early development. However, despite the restrictions and challenges faced by the families, most children performed within the average range of scores expected in their age groups.
You may find the full details and results of this study on Frontiers in Public Health.
-
Rise and Thrive Program Team successfully concludes preparatory project design workshop
The Rise and Thrive: Building Resilient Communities through Inclusive Mental Health program in Fiji and the Philippines is a four-year regional program supported by the Australian Government through its Partnerships for a Healthy Region (PHR) initiative. Rise and Thrive aims to develop a model that improves the well-being of people with mental health conditions or psychosocial disability through improved community support, access to services, and systems that reinforce rights, equity, and inclusion. As part of its preparatory phase, the Philippines Project Team composed of lead implementing partner ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI), and co-implementing partner Balik Kalipay Center for Psychosocial Response, Inc. (BKC) underwent a three-day project design workshop. The workshop was facilitated by CBM Australia’s Senior Programme Coordinator Kirsten Bate with support from the Rise and Thrive Programme Team, Sucelle Deacosta, and Kyra Ballesteros. Through the workshop process, the team sought to develop the theory of change, its logical framework, and a collaborative action plan to guide the implementation of the multi-year program over the next four years in the country.
-
ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation hosts the Rise and Thrive program team during a three-day GEDSI Workshop
From 10-12 July 2024, the ASMPH Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) hosted the Rise and Thrive Philippine program team during its comprehensive gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) hybrid workshop and stakeholder consultation. Rise and Thrive: Building Resilient Communities through Inclusive Mental Health is a program of CBM Global Disability Inclusion in Fiji and the Philippines, supported by the Australian Government through Partnerships for a Healthy Region. The program aims to develop and document, by 2028, a model that results in the improved wellbeing of people with mental health conditions or psychosocial disability through improved community support, access to services, and systems that reinforce rights, equity, and inclusion.