Rural-urban differentials in early childhood education and child development

Evidence from Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (Mics) in Ghana

Bibliographic Data

ID19593159
AuthorsMartin Wiredu Agyekum (0000-0003-2268-4856, University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author), Sylvia Boamah Yeboah (Mykolas Romeris University, corresponding author), Charity Dzradosi (University of Ghana, corresponding author), Kingsley Ofosu-Ampong, Kingsley Ofosu‐Ampong (0000-0003-0561-6376, University of Professional Studies, corresponding author), Michael Odenkey Quaye (0009-0001-4366-4259, University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author), Christie Donkoh (University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author), Andrews Acquah (0000-0003-4041-0509, University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author), Cosmos Kwame Dzikunu (University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author), Edison Pajibo (University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author), Daniel Yelkpieri (University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author), Emmanuel M J Tamanja (University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author), Ephraim Avea Nsoh (University of Education, Winneba, corresponding author)
EditorsNafis Faizi (0000-0002-4634-6790)
Year2023
Volume3
Issue8
Pagese0002171
Publication date2023-08-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0002171
PMID37549109
OpenAlexW4385625523
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited25

Children’s early development is a key component that affects their wellbeing and health as they age. In recent times, scholars’ interest in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Child Development (ECD) has grown exponentially. However, rural-urban differentials in early childhood development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and particularly in Ghana are unknown. This study examined the rural-urban differentials in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Child Development (ECD) in Ghana. We used cross-sectional data from 2017/2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) by the Ghana Statistical Service. We restricted the data to children aged 3 and 4 years. A sample size of 3683 children was used in this study. Poisson regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Child Development (ECD) in rural and urban Ghana. Both ECE and ECD scores were higher in the urban areas than in the rural areas. The regression shows the rural-urban disparity in ECD by ECE. The Preschool Program (ECE) has a good impact on children’s early development in Ghana. However, the Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) in rural areas was higher than in urban areas. Beyond this, other factors such as age of child, ecological zone, maternal education and wealth index were associated with ECD. Our findings show a significant disparity in Early Childhood Education and Childhood Development in rural and urban areas This study therefore recommends that more resources be channeled in rural areas to help improve ECE and ECD while policies should be tailored to Early Childhood Education

Child development · Cluster sampling · Developmental psychology · Early childhood · Early childhood education · Environmental health · Geography · Poisson regression · Population · Rural area · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Demography · Early Childhood Education and Development · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology