Sociodemographic, health, and environmental determinants of speech delay in children: A case–control study

Speech delay can affect a child's academic performance, communication skills, and social interactions later in life. Despite its prevalence, gaps remain in understanding the risk factors associated with speech delay, particularly in diverse populations. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic, health, and environmental determinants of speech delay in children. This was an age-matched case-control study. A total of 282 responses were collected from the case group and 409 responses were received from the control group in the period from September 2022 to May 2023. Descriptive analysis was used to determine the characteristics of the cases and controls. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the association between speech delay and various factors, adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, sex, family history, and health conditions. Boys were significantly more likely to have speech delay than girls (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% CI: 2.18-4.29, P < .001). Children with a family history of speech delay (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.32-4.29, P = .004) were more than twice as likely to have speech delay. Lower educational levels of both fathers (OR: 4.21, 95% CI: 1.35-14.24, P = .015) and mothers (OR: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.27-4.77, P = .008) were significantly associated with a higher risk of speech delay. Moreover, nursery attendance and health conditions, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and hearing loss, were strongly associated with speech delay (P < .05). However, family income and parental employment did not show a strong association with delayed speech. This study highlights key factors such as gender, parental education, family history, and certain health conditions (autism, ADHD, and hearing impairment) as strong and significant predictors of speech delay in children. Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and early screenings to mitigate risks, especially for children in vulnerable groups. Future research should explore the interplay of environmental and genetic factors and refine prevention strategies.