Validity test of pre-screening developmental questionnaire (PDQ) and mother and child health (MCH) handbook for determining children's readiness to enter elementary school

Introduction: Many experts have tried to invent appropriate measures for deciding children's school readiness, one of which is the Nijmeegse Schoolbekwaamheids Test (NST). Unfortunately, it conveys several troubles such as being time-consuming, expensive, and uncomfortable for children. Meanwhile, the majority of parents have been accustomed to the pre-screening developmental questionnaire (PDQ) and mother and child health (MCH) handbook to monitor their children's development. The present study aimed to examine the PDQ and MCH handbook's validity for determining children's readiness to enter elementary school based on sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. Methods: The study used a descriptive- observational research approach with a cross-sectional research design conducted from March to May 2022. Data were obtained from the completed PDQ, MCH handbook, and NST forms. The data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test to contrast the results of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value between variables to reveal whether the PDQ and MCH handbook were valid to be used besides the NST. Results: There was a relationship between children's readiness to enter elementary school based on PDQ and NST (p <.05) and the MCH handbook and NST (p <.05). The sensitivity of children's readiness to enter elementary school based on PDQ was 96.2% with the specificity of 50%, the positive predictive value of 96.2%, and the negative predictive value of 50%. Moreover, the sensitivity of children's readiness to enter elementary school based on the MCH handbook was 80% with a specificity of 75%, a positive predictive value of 97.7%, and a negative predictive value of 23.1%. Conclusion: The PDQ and MCH handbook can help Indonesian parents define their children's readiness to enter elementary school as it is more reachable and applicable.