Prevalence and risk factors of delay language disorder of 18-30-month-old children in Phan district, Chiang Rai province

Abstract

          This research is a descriptive study using a cross-sectional study. Its objective is to study the prevalence and risk factors of delay language disorder in 18-30-month-old children in Phan District, Chiang Rai Province.

          Data were collected from 18-30-month-old children who had no underlying conditions related to delay language disorder. These children either visited Phan Hospital for medical services, received developmental check-ups at Sub-district health promotion hospitals in Phan District, or attended the Huangom/Moungkham Preschool in Phan District, Chiang Rai Province, between April 4, 2025, and July 31, 2025. A total of 243 participants were included in the study. The participants were then divided into two groups based on Ramathibodi Language Development Questionnaire (RLDQ) screening. 22 children were classified as delay language disorder (RLDQ positive), 221 children were classified as not delay language disorder (RLDQ negative). The association between various factors and delay language disorder was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of children as delay language disorder (RLDQ positive) was found to be 9.10%. Children with a temperament characterized by slow to warm up or difficult child had a higher risk of delay language disorder, with an adjusted OR 7.64 (95% CI 1.99–29.35). Each additional hour of screen time was associated with a 1.76-fold increased risk of delay language disorder among study participants adjusted OR 1.76 (95% CI 1.17–2.65).

          The findings should be applied in real-world contexts, particularly in monitoring and addressing the identified risk factors to help prevent delay language disorder in children.