Exploring Early Childhood Development Interventions for Building Human Capital in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

Child Care Health and Development Pub Date : 2025-07-16 DOI:10.1111/cch.70138

Johanna Beukes, Stephanie Alcock, Michelle Leal, Urlridge Thompson, Catherine E. Draper, Shane A. Norris

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Abstract

Background

Inequalities in the provision and implementation of early childhood development (ECD) interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa remain a challenge. This scoping review aimed to investigate the types and extent of ECD interventions in this region, using the Nurturing Care framework (NCF).

Methods

This review included randomised controlled trial (RCT) studies related to ECD interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa. Sources from 2019 to 2024 were included. PubMed, MEDLINE (Ebsco), Web of Science, ProQuest and PsychInfo were searched in September 2024. Abstracts and full texts were reviewed using Rayyan.

Results

Of 85 studies retrieved, 21 conducted across 13 countries were included in our review. Most were conducted in Eastern and Southern Africa, with Western and Central Africa notably underrepresented. Sample sizes varied from 134 to over 9000 participants. ECD interventions targeting children from 0 to 8 years old were included. Nutrition-focused interventions were the most common (n = 9) and showed the biggest positive impact on child weight and growth. Responsive caring interventions were the second most common (n = 2), resulting in fewer reports of maltreatment, reduced endorsement of corporal punishment and fewer behavioural problems in children. The remaining three NCF dimensions (i.e., early learning opportunities, safety and security, and good health) each had only one intervention focusing solely on that dimension and showed mixed results on child development. Multidimensional interventions were common, with seven studies combining multiple ECD support elements to create a holistic approach. Although these interventions showed mixed results, they were more likely to report positive outcomes across multiple NCF domains compared to single-focus interventions.

Conclusions

Most interventions focus only on a couple of NCF elements. There is a need for increased focus on underrepresented regions to address local ECD needs effectively and to develop and evaluate interventions that incorporate all elements of NCF in African contexts.

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探索在撒哈拉以南非洲建立人力资本的儿童早期发展干预措施：范围审查

撒哈拉以南非洲在提供和实施幼儿发展干预措施方面的不平等仍然是一个挑战。本范围审查旨在调查该地区幼儿发展干预措施的类型和程度，使用培育护理框架（NCF）。方法本综述纳入了撒哈拉以南非洲地区与ECD干预相关的随机对照试验（RCT）研究。来源包括2019年至2024年。2024年9月检索PubMed、MEDLINE （Ebsco）、Web of Science、ProQuest和PsychInfo。摘要和全文用Rayyan进行校核。在85项研究中，21项研究在13个国家进行。大多数是在东部和南部非洲进行的，西部和中部非洲的代表人数明显不足。样本量从134人到9000多人不等。包括针对0至8岁儿童的ECD干预措施。以营养为重点的干预是最常见的（n = 9），对儿童体重和生长有最大的积极影响。响应性护理干预是第二常见的（n = 2），导致虐待报告减少，体罚的认可减少，儿童行为问题减少。其余三个国家儿童发展框架方面（即早期学习机会、安全和保障以及良好健康），每个方面只有一项干预措施，只关注该方面，对儿童发展的影响好坏参半。多维干预措施很常见，有7项研究将多种ECD支持元素结合起来，形成了一种整体方法。虽然这些干预显示出混合的结果，但与单一重点干预相比，它们更有可能在多个NCF领域报告积极的结果。结论：大多数干预措施只关注NCF的几个要素。有必要更多地关注代表性不足的地区，以有效地满足当地的幼儿发展需求，并制定和评估在非洲情况下纳入国家儿童发展基金所有要素的干预措施。

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来源期刊

Child Care Health and Development 医学-小儿科

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

5.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

4-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Child: care, health and development is an international, peer-reviewed journal which publishes papers dealing with all aspects of the health and development of children and young people. We aim to attract quantitative and qualitative research papers relevant to people from all disciplines working in child health. We welcome studies which examine the effects of social and environmental factors on health and development as well as those dealing with clinical issues, the organization of services and health policy. We particularly encourage the submission of studies related to those who are disadvantaged by physical, developmental, emotional and social problems. The journal also aims to collate important research findings and to provide a forum for discussion of global child health issues.