The impact of demographic and socio-economic conditions on the prevalence of speech disorders in preschool children in Bitola.

INTRODUCTION Speech development in preschool children should be consistent with a child's overall development. However, disorders of speech in childhood are not uncommon. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of demographic and socio-economic conditions on the prevalence of speech disorders in preschool children in Bitola. METHODS The study is observational and prospective with two years duration. During the period from May 2009 to June 2011, 1607 children aged 3 and 5 years, who came for regular examinations, were observed. The following research methods were applied: pediatric examination, psychological testing (Test of Chuturik), interviews with parents and a questionnaire for behavior of children (Child Behavior Checklist - CBCL). RESULTS 1,607 children were analyzed, 772 aged three years, 835 aged five years, 51.65% male and 49.35% female.The prevalence of speech disorders was 37.65%. Statistical analysis showed that these disorders were more frequent in three years old children, males living in rural areas and in larger families.They did not have their own rooms at home, they were using mobile phones and were spending many hours per day watching television, (p<0.01). Also, children whose parents had lower levels of education and were engaged in agriculture, often had significant speech disorders, (p<0.01). CONCLUSION Speech disorders in preschool children in Bitola have a high prevalence. Because of their influence on later cognitive development of children, the process requires cooperation among parents, children, speech and the audiologist with the significant role in prevention, early detection and treatment.