Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) among Forcibly Displaced and Host Communities’ 24-59-month-old Children

Funding Agency: UNICEF

PI: Anya Agopian, MPH, PhD and Co-PI: Anahit Demirchyan, MD, MPH

 

UNICEF commissioned the Avedisian Onanian Center of Health Services Research and Development (CHSR) of the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (CHS) to conduct a study aimed at measuring the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) among forcibly displaced and host communities’ 24-59-month-old children. ECDI was measured using international methodology and tools, namely, ECDI2030. Additionally, the study incorporated the Child Functioning Module (CFM) to assess functional abilities of 24-59-month-old children. The study will generate estimates for the proportions of children defined as developmentally on track according to ECDI, and the CFM will help identify subpopulations of children who face greater risk than their peers or experience limited participation in unaccommodating environments. The specific objectives include: a) To assess the developmental status and functioning of the project beneficiaries – refugee and host community children aged 24-59 months; and b) to adapt the modules, pilot their use, and build local capacities for contributing to other similar initiatives and surveys.

Recruitment for the study took place in selected ECE facilities located in Vagharshapat and Metsamor communities of Armavir marz, Vayk community of Vayots Dzor marz, Abovyan and Garni communities of Kotayk marz, and Masis and Artashat communities of Ararat marz. Four interviewers conducted the fieldwork from June 25th to July 15th.  The desired samples size was reached with 201 interviews with caregivers (101 of forcibly displaced children and 100 of host children).  The results of the study are being analyzed and a final report will be drafted. The findings of this study will shed light on the developmental status of both forcibly displaced and host community children and estimate the proportion of children under five with functional difficulties. The findings will also be used to inform the development of educational and training materials on early childhood development with a specific focus on refugee children. The adapted tools and their application methodology will be included in a package of capacity-building materials for presentation to local stakeholders, e.g. ArmStat staff, graduate students, etc. The results from the study may also be used for scientific publication by CHSR faculty and staff, subsequent to prior approval from UNICEF.  The knowledge generated by the study might be useful for the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports, and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, UNICEF, and other stakeholders to monitor the project’s outcomes in terms of early childhood development initiatives for refugee children.