Assessment of Quality of Life of Children at Risk of Developmental Delays During Covid 19 Pandemic Through Telephonic Follow-Up

Abstract

Introduction: As the world grappled with the Covid-19 pandemic, families of High-risk infants were left unsupported. Tertiary care was not a priority when the healthcare system was in crisis. Therefore, high-risk infants and their families were not provided the services they needed.

Objectives: To assess the quality of life of children at risk of developmental delays through telephonic follow-up during Covid 19 Pandemic.

Methods: We used creative ways of managing and nurturing 899 children at home through online follow-up over a period of 12 weeks. The assessment was done using an evaluation tool namely “Health-Related Quality of Life”. This tool was used to evaluate the overall quality of life along with a range of child’s developmental characteristics. Information was collected though 25-item questionnaires, which were parent administered.    

Results: This study has contributed to championing the role of the family in child development during Covid 19 Pandemic and identifies families as having a critical role in the child’s development.

Conclusions: The Report acknowledges that family-centred, early intervention programs are complex to implement besides requiring a fine understanding of the diverse needs of children and their families across different contexts.