Prevalence and Predictors of Literacy Promotion among Pediatricians in Spain: Findings from a National Cross-Sectional Survey

Reading aloud to children from an early age provides significant cognitive and emotional benefits, including language development, improved academic performance, and enhanced emotional growth. This study aims to assess the extent to which pediatricians in Spain promote reading and to identify the key predictors of this practice. A national cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted via an online survey targeting hospital pediatricians, primary care pediatricians, and pediatric residents. A total of 326 pediatricians participated: 16.87% from hospitals, 69.63% from primary care, and 13.5% residents. Among them, 34.46% reported actively promoting literacy, with primary care professionals more likely to engage in this activity. A logistic regression analysis revealed that specific training on the topic was the strongest predictor of literacy promotion, followed by years of professional experience, the pediatricians’ own reading habits, and the extent to which they recognized the developmental benefits of shared reading. These findings highlight the practical importance of providing targeted training and raising awareness among pediatric professionals to foster literacy promotion.