Factors Influencing Early Identification and Intervention for Developmental Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in Uganda

Background Globally, nearly 4.3% of children under 5 years of age face significant barriers in accessing early identification and intervention for developmental disabilities. In resource-constrained settings such as Uganda, only 10% of these children have access to intervention services. Kabarole District has approximately 9,349 children aged 0–4 years living with developmental disabilities, despite the presence of early childhood interventions; despite, efforts to address the problem and the factors influencing identification and intervention for children in this setting are not known. Hence, this study assessed the factors associated with early identification and interventions for developmental disabilities in children under five years of age in Kabarole District, Uganda. Methods A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted. Quantitative data were collected from 211 caregivers and analysed via descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression in STATA 15 to identify factors associated with early identification and intervention. To complement and contextualize the quantitative findings, qualitative data were collected from 9 key informants and 12 caregivers as KIIs, and analysed thematically using Atlas. ti v.8, to provide in-depth insights into caregiver experiences and health system factors. Results Overall, the study sample comprised 211 caregivers of children who had been diagnosed with developmental disabilities and 9 health care workers, including Village Health Teams (VHTs) who provided care to these children. The findings revealed that 50.2% of caregivers achieved early identification and intervention. Caregivers with prior knowledge of developmental disabilities were nearly twice as likely to identify their children and intervene early (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37–2.87, p < 0.001). A very good relationship with healthcare providers increased the likelihood of early identification and intervention (aPR = 1.59, 95% CI: 0.97–2.62), whereas caregivers with at least primary education showed a greater tendency toward early linkage (aPR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.66–2.08). The qualitative findings highlighted the importance of enhanced health and social support systems, including community-based awareness programs, regular child health screenings, postnatal care, family welfare initiatives, and improved access to healthcare services. Conclusion The study highlighted that early identification and linkage to interventions were suboptimal in Kabarole District. A concerning rate where nearly half of the affected children may miss the critical window for early intervention. Interventions that address gaps in caregiver knowledge, healthcare provider relationships, and policies that increase access to services should be developed to improve outcomes for children with developmental disabilities.