Experiences and Challenges of Mothers in Caring for Infants with Delayed Developmental Milestones: A Case of Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Delayed Developmental Milestones is a physical disability affecting the child development, occurs when the child fails to attain normal milestones compared to other children. Globally, 180-200 million infants have signs of developmental delay, and 86% are from developing countries. In Dar es Salaam, proportion of children with cognitive delay is 12.3%.
Objectives: This study explored the experiences and challenges of mothers in caring for infants with delayed developmental milestones.
Methods: In-depth interviews with ten mothers explored their experiences and identified challenges they encountered while caring for infants with delayed developmental milestones. NVIVO plus software was used for content analysis.
Results: Results showed that parents raising infants with delayed developmental milestones had negative experiences on the cause and types of delayed milestones. They lost hope. They were facing different challenges like lack of specialists, conflict in marriage and stigma.
Conclusion: Mothers of infants with delayed developmental milestones had negative experiences about this problem and they face many challenges in caring the infants.