Van der Merwe, MariaMosca, RenataSwanepoel, De WetGlascoe, Frances PageVan der Linde, JeannieEccles, Renata2019-09-202019Maria N. van der Merwe, Renata Mosca, De Wet Swanepoel, Frances P. Glascoe & Jeannie van der Linde (2019) Early detection of developmental delays in vulnerable children by community care workers using an mHealth tool, Early Child Development and Care, 189:5, 855-866, DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2018.1480481.1476-8275 (online)0300-4430 (print)10.1080/03004430.2018.1480481http://hdl.handle.net/2263/71437Developmental delays are increasing worldwide, as a result of exposure to environmental risk factors. Early detection services are often inaccessible in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). An mHealth developmental screening programme with community care workers (CCWs) was investigated. CCWs administered a smartphone application to vulnerable families during home-based services. One-hundred and thirty-eight children were screened and those who failed were rescreened. CCWs completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions of community-based mHealth-assisted screening. The overall referral rate was 69%. Older children (19–38 months old) had a significantly higher (p < .05; Chi-Square) referral rate (84%; n = 62) compared to those aged 0–18 months (52%; n = 33). CCWs perceived mHealth screening as valuable in terms of utility, outcomes and contribution to developmental knowledge for community members and CCWs. Community-based services are a promising platform to implement mHealth-assisted early developmental screening programmes. CCWs and mHealth-assisted developmental screening can facilitate better access to early detection and developmental surveillance for vulnerable populations.en© 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an electronic version of an article published in Early Child Development and Care, vol. 189, no. 5, pp. 855-866, 2019. doi : 10.1080/03004430.2018.1480481. Early Child Development and Care is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.comloi/gecd20.DevelopmentScreeningCommunity care workers (CCWs)mHealthEarly detection of developmental delays in vulnerable children by community care workers using an mHealth toolPostprint Article