Background: The Australian Early Developmental Census (AEDC) provides a measure of early child health and development. Understanding the factors that influence child development among Aboriginal children is important to inform policy and practice.
Aim: To investigate factors that are associated with developmental vulnerability at school-entry among Western Australian (WA) Aboriginal children.
Method: This is a prospective population-based birth cohort study using linked datasets with information on cohort children, and their mothers and siblings. The 2009 and 2012 AEDC was used to assess developmental vulnerability in Aboriginal children born in WA across five domains of development. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to determine salient risks.
Results: 49.3% of Aboriginal children were vulnerable on at least one developmental domain and 30.4% were vulnerable on two or more. Children developmentally vulnerable on one or more domains were more likely to have at least one contact with child protection services compared to those with no contacts (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.21-1.78). Developmentally vulnerable children were also more likely to have a mother with at least one mental health admission compared to mothers with no admissions (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.28-1.78). Aboriginal children with at least one developmental vulnerability experienced a range of adverse health and social outcomes. Similar risks were evident for children with two or more vulnerabilities.
Conclusions: Many Aboriginal children in WA are entering school with at least one developmental vulnerability. Addressing child protection issues and supporting maternal mental health are important for improving the early development of young Aboriginal children.