title: Adaptation and standardization of a Western tool for assessing child development in non-Western low-income context.
abstract: Due to lack of culturally relevant assessment tools, little is known about children's developmental profiles in low income settings such as Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to adapt and standardize the Denver II for assessing child development in Jimma Zone, South West Ethiopia.
  
  
  
  Culture-specific test items in Denver II were modified. After translation into two local languages, all test items were piloted and fine-tuned. Using 1597 healthy children 4 days to 70.6 months of age, the 25, 50, 75 and 90 % passing ages were determined for each test item as milestones. Milestones attainment on the adapted version and the Denver II were compared on the 90 % passing age. Reliability of the adapted tool was examined.
  
  
  
  A total of 36 (28.8 %) test items, mostly from personal social domain, were adapted. Milestones attainment ages on the two versions differed significantly on 42 (34 %) test items. The adapted tool has an excellent inter-rater on 123 (98 %) items and substantial to excellent test-retest reliability on 119 (91 %) items.
  
  
  
  A Western developmental assessment tool can be adapted reliably for use in low-income settings. Age differences in attaining milestones indicate a correct estimation of child development requires a population-specific standard.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, College of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia. teklugemechu.abessa@uhasselt.be.|REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium. teklugemechu.abessa@uhasselt.be.
authors.forename: Teklu Gemechu
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Abessa
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, College of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia.|REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Berhanu Nigussie
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Worku
authors.affiliation: Department of Population and Family Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia.|Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mekitie Wondafrash
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Kibebew
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare, PXL University College, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valy
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare, PXL University College, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lemmens
authors.affiliation: Biocartis NV, Mechelen, Belgium.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thijs
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Wondwosen Kasahun
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Yimer
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kolsteren
authors.affiliation: REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Hasselt, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Granitzer
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D065246:Culturally Competent Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005002:Ethiopia; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D057238:Growth Charts; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D064702:International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D066107:Social Skills; D014177:Translations
keywords: Adaptation; Child development; Denver II-Jimma; Developmental assessment tool