Escolaridade materna e indicadores desenvolvimentais na criança: mediação do conhecimento materno sobre o desenvolvimento infantil.

This study investigated the mediating effect of maternal knowledge on child development in the relationship between maternal education level and developmental indicators in the first year. Twenty-eight mothers of 11-month-old infants, selected at two Basic Health Units in the city of Salvador/Brazil, participated in the study. Maternal developmental knowledge was assessed with the KIDI and infant development was measured by the EDCC. The regression analyses showed that maternal knowledge about child development is a pure mediating variable of the relationship between maternal schooling and developmental indicators of the baby. Support provided by formal education so that parents can benefit from developmental information is discussed, and investment in basic education and dissemination of information on child development in public health services is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]