CDRF Conducts Mid-term Survey on Rural Child Development Demonstration Zone Project in Bijie
From 22 to 30 August 2023, China Development Research Foundation (CDRF) went to Bijie, Guizhou to conduct a mid-term survey on the "Rural Child Development Demonstration Zone" project in the Bijie pilot area.
The "Rural Child Development Demonstration Zone" project in the Bijie pilot area aims to comprehensively implement a life- cycle pilot programme from birth to employment for children.
The purpose of this mid-term survey is to assess the effectiveness of the project's interventions on children over the past year through a scientific and systematic approach. The tracking survey targeted more than 1,600 infants and toddlers aged 15-50 months in 8 districts and counties in Bijie, and employs caretaker questionnaires, Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, China Early Human Capability Index (eHCI), the Early Childhood Development Evaluation app, and physical check-ups to comprehensively assess the developmental level of infants and toddlers and their physical health status.
The mid-term survey was led and organized by CDRF, with the cooperation of Bijie Health Bureau and county health bureaus, the National Survey Research Center at Renmin University of China, the Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Child Development and Learning Science of Southeast University, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai Jiaotong University, and the Bijie Preschool Education College to form a team of more than 180 surveyors.
In the morning of 22-24 August, under the guidance of professional teachers, the investigators received training on questionnaire interviews, eHCI, physical examination, and use of early childhood development assessment app, and conducted mock surveys to lay the foundation for all subsequent work.
On August 24, a pre survey meeting was held at Bijie Preschool Education College. Qiao Zhengyang, deputy secretary-general of the CDRF, Du Zhixin, deputy director of CDRF's Child Development Research Institute, and Cai Jianhua, senior consultant for Child Development Research Institute, as well as Yuan Wei, deputy director of Bijie Health Bureau and Lu Fengpeng, headmaster of Bijie Preschool Education College, attended the meeting and delivered speeches, emphasizing the significance of Rural Child Development Demonstration Zone and the survey, and reiterating the survey's specific arrangements and requirements.
After preparation and training, from 25 to 29 August, the team, which gathered professionals from various parties, was divided into six groups to conduct the survey in Bijie, covering 15 townships in 8 counties and districts in Bijie. The survey used a combination of questionnaires and household visits to gain an in-depth understanding of the project implementation.
Surveyors conducting CAPI questionnaires for caregivers, asking about the nutritional health and life care of infants and toddlers, understanding the caregiver's family financial situation and views on education, and assessing development status of infants and toddlers.
Surveyors conducting Bayley Scales of infants.
Children who completed the assessment received gifts
Household Survey
The survey was successfully completed on 30 August,. A total of 1,138 questionnaires, 481 Bayley Scales tests and 1,111 physical examinations were completed.
CDRF will summarize and analyses the results learned during the mid-term survey, so as to provide rigorous and effective data support for the further development of the Rural Child Development Demonstration Zone in Bijie.
