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Early childhood development and urban environment in Mexico

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco-Javier Prado-Galbarro
  • Carolina Pérez-Ferrer
  • Ana Ortigoza
  • Nancy Paulina López-Olmedo
  • Ariela Braverman-Bronstein
  • Rosalba Rojas-Martínez
  • Filipa de Castro
  • Tonatiuh Barrientos-Gutiérrez

Abstract

Background: Childhood is considered the most important phase of human development; within it the period from birth to 5 years of age is particularly critical, given the speed at which changes occur. The context where children live can influence early childhood developmnent (ECD) by providing or limiting opportunities to learn, play and establish social interactions. This study explored the associations between characteristics of the urban environment and ECD in 2,194 children aged 36 to 59 months living in urban municipalities in Mexico Methods: We obtained ECD information from the 2015 Survey of Boys, Girls, and Women (ENIM, for its Spanish acronym), measured with the Early Childhood Development Index. The urban environment was evaluated at the municipal level, considering variables from five environment domains: physical, social, service, socioeconomic, and governance. Multilevel logistic models were fitted to assess the association between urban environment characteristics and the inadequacy of ECD in general and by specific development domains: learning, socio-emotional, physical, and alpha-numeric. Results: Inadequate ECD was inversely associated with the availability of libraries (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.72), and positively associated with population density (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01–1.02). For the specific ECD domains, inadequate socio-emotional development was inversely associated with the availability of libraries (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.85). Inadequate literacy-numeracy knowledge was associated inversely with the availability of daycare centers (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.97), and directly associated with the number of hospitals and clinics (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.72). Finally, the marginalization index was positively associated with inadequacy in the learning domain (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.03). Conclusions: Some aspects of the urban environment associated with ECD, suggest that intervening in the urban context could improve overall child development. Investment in resources oriented to improve socio-emotional development and literacy (such as libraries and daycare), could foster ECD in Mexico.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco-Javier Prado-Galbarro & Carolina Pérez-Ferrer & Ana Ortigoza & Nancy Paulina López-Olmedo & Ariela Braverman-Bronstein & Rosalba Rojas-Martínez & Filipa de Castro & Tonatiuh Barrientos-Gutié, 2021. "Early childhood development and urban environment in Mexico," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(11), pages 1-14, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0259946
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259946
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marion Gouin & Cyril Flamant & Géraldine Gascoin & Valérie Rouger & Agnès Florin & Philippe Guimard & Jean-Christophe Rozé & Matthieu Hanf, 2015. "The Association of Urbanicity with Cognitive Development at Five Years of Age in Preterm Children," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Sharon Goldfeld & Geoffrey Woolcock & Ilan Katz & Robert Tanton & Sally Brinkman & Elodie O’Connor & Talya Mathews & Billie Giles-Corti, 2015. "Neighbourhood Effects Influencing Early Childhood Development: Conceptual Model and Trial Measurement Methodologies from the Kids in Communities Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 120(1), pages 197-212, January.
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