Epidemiological studies of sociodemographic factors, early life factors, health, and medical care consumption among small children

By international standards, children in Sweden experience good health. Sweden has low infant mortality rates, low accident mortality rates, a high number of breastfed children and a high proportion of vaccinated children. However, during the past twenty years the prevalence of overweight children has doubled in Sweden, while that of obese children has increased 4-5 times. Furthermore, there has been an increase in self-reported problems such as anxiety and sleeping disturbances among adolescents. Asthma and other types of allergic diseases are the most common chronic diseases during childhood, while infectious diseases are the most common causes of short-term morbidity. It is well-known that the social position of the family, living conditions, and parental health-related behaviors are closely connected with health in childhood. The socioeconomic position (SEP) of the family affects the child’s health from the very beginning of life through the mother’s health-related behaviors during pregnancy. Even though the prevailing etiological model for adult chronic disease emphasizes adult risk factors, the importance of earlier life circumstances has recently attracted considerable attention. A life course perspective seems to increase our understanding of health in childhood as well as later on, in adulthood. In this thesis, the associations between sociodemographic factors and early life factors (e.g., maternal smoking during pregnancy, exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke, breastfeeding, and high birth weight) on the one hand and health and medical care consumption on the other hand, were investigated among small children in Malmö. The studies in the thesis were population-based and cross-sectional, and the study populations comprised children who visited the Child health care (CHC) centers for their 8-month or 4-year check-up during 2003-2008 and whose parents answered a self-administered questionnaire. The self-administered questionnaire was handed out to the parents of 8-month-old and 4-year-old children in conjunction with their check-up at the CHC centers aiming to reach all children in Malmö in these two age groups. The questionnaire was distributed by the pediatric nurses at the centers. The results showed that antibiotic consumption at an early age was influenced by several factors including parental sociodemographic factors, lifestyle factors, psychosocial support, as well as child-related factors. The results further showed associations between exposure to unfavorable early life factors and the development of childhood allergy and overweight or obesity. Such effects were enhanced when there were presence of parental allergy or parental overweight, respectively. Children with less educated mothers were exposed to more health risks, fewer health promoting factors, worse social support and had a higher medical care consumption than children with mothers with higher levels of education.In conclusion, the results show that children’s health seems to be highly influenced by the characteristics of the families into which they are born. The results also put focus on the importance of early targeted interventions

Maternal educational level, parental preventive behavior, risk behavior, social support and medical care consumption in 8-month-old children in Malmö, Sweden

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The social environment in which children grow up is closely associated with their health. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between maternal educational level, parental preventive behavior, parental risk behavior, social support, and use of medical care in small children in Malmö, Sweden. We also wanted to investigate whether potential differences in child medical care consumption could be explained by differences in parental behavior and social support.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was population-based and cross-sectional. The study population was 8 month-old children in Malmö, visiting the Child Health Care centers during 2003-2007 for their 8-months check-up, and whose parents answered a self-administered questionnaire (n = 9,289 children).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Exclusive breast feeding ≥4 months was more common among mothers with higher educational level. Smoking during pregnancy was five times more common among less-educated mothers. Presence of secondhand tobacco smoke during the first four weeks of life was also much more common among children with less-educated mothers. Less-educated mothers more often experienced low emotional support and low practical support than mothers with higher levels of education (>12 years of education). Increased exposure to unfavorable parental behavioral factors (maternal smoking during pregnancy, secondhand tobacco smoke and exclusive breastfeeding <4 months) was associated with increased odds of in-hospital care and having sought care from a doctor during the last 8 months. The odds were doubled when exposed to all three risk factors. Furthermore, children of less-educated mothers had increased odds of in-hospital care (OR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.66)) and having sought care from a doctor during the last 8 months (OR = 1.28 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.50)), which were reduced and turned statistically non-significant after adjustment for unfavorable parental behavioral factors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Children of less-educated mothers were exposed to more health risks, fewer health-promoting factors, worse social support, and had higher medical care consumption than children with higher educated mothers. After adjustment for parental behavioral factors the excess odds of doctor's visits and in-hospital care among children with less-educated mothers were reduced. Improving children's health calls for policies targeting parents' health-related behaviors and social support.</p

Antibiotic use among 8-month-old children in Malmö, Sweden – in relation to child characteristics and parental sociodemographic, psychosocial and lifestyle factors

In the county of Scania, Sweden, antibiotic use among small children is among the highest in the country. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between antibiotic use among 8-month-old children in Malmö and characteristics of the child as well as parental sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and psychosocial support. The study was a population-based cross-sectional survey. The study population consisted of children who visited the Child Health Care (CHC) centres in Malmö for their 8-month health checkup during 2003–2006 and whose parents answered a self-administered questionnaire (n = 7266 children). The questionnaire was distributed to parents of children registered with the CHC and invited for an 8-month checkup during the study period. The odds of using antibiotics increased as parental educational level decreased. Using high educational level as a reference group, low maternal educational level was associated with an increased antibiotic use for the child, odds ratio (OR) = 1.61 (95% CI: 1.34–1.93). Furthermore, children whose parents were born outside Sweden showed higher antibiotic use, OR = 1.43 (95% CI: 1.24–1.65), in comparison with children whose parents were born in Sweden. Exposure to environmental smoking, parental experience of economic stress, and a low level of emotional support increased the odds for antibiotic use. Boys had higher odds of use of antibiotics than girls, OR = 1.40 (95% CI: 1.25–1.57). Having a low birth weight, having an allergy and having siblings also increased the odds for early antibiotic use, while breastfeeding seemed to have a protective role. Conclusion There were clear associations between parental factors such as sociodemographic, psychosocial and lifestyle factors and antibiotic use at this early stage of life. Several characteristics of the child also affected the use of antibiotics

Early exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke and the development of allergic diseases in 4 year old children in Malmö, Sweden

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Earlier studies have shown an association between secondhand tobacco smoke and allergy development in children. Furthermore, there is an increased risk of developing an allergy if the parents have an allergy. However, there are only few studies investigating the potential synergistic effect of secondhand tobacco smoke and allergic heredity on the development of an allergy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was population-based cross-sectional with retrospective information on presence of secondhand tobacco smoke during early life. The study population consisted of children who visited the Child Health Care (CHC) centres in Malmö for their 4-year health checkup during 2006-2008 and whose parents answered a self-administered questionnaire (n = 4,278 children). The questionnaire was distributed to parents of children registered with the CHC and invited for the 4-year checkup during the study period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a two to four times increased odds of the child having an allergy or having sought medical care due to allergic symptoms if at least one parent had an allergy, while there were rather small increased odds related to presence of secondhand smoke during the child's first month in life or at the age of 8 months. However, children with heredity for allergies and with presence of secondhand tobacco smoke during their first year in life had highly increased odds of developing an allergy and having sought medical care due to allergic symptoms at 4 years of age. Thus, there was a synergistic effect enhancing the independent effects of heredity and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke on allergy development.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Children with a family history of allergies and early exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke is a risk group that prevention and intervention should pay extra attention to. The tobacco smoke effect on children is an essential and urgent question considering it not being self chosen, possibly giving life lasting negative health effects and being possible to reduce.</p

Early life factors and being overweight at 4 years of age among children in Malmö, Sweden

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Rising rates of obesity and overweight is an increasing public health problem all over the world. Recent research has shown the importance of early life factors in the development of child overweight. However, to the best of our knowledge there are no studies investigating the potential synergistic effect of early life factors and presence of parental overweight on the development of child overweight.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was population-based and cross-sectional. The study population consisted of children who visited the Child Health Care (CHC) centers in Malmö for their 4-year health check during 2003-2008 and whose parents answered a self-administered questionnaire (n = 9009 children).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that having overweight/obese parents was strongly associated with the child being overweight or obese. Furthermore, there was an association between unfavorable early life factors (i.e., mother smoking during pregnancy, presence of secondhand tobacco smoke early in life, high birth weight) and the development of child overweight/obesity at four years of age, while breastfeeding seemed to have a protective role. For example, maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.47 (95% CI: 1.22, 1.76) for overweight and 2.31 (95% CI: 1.68, 3.17) for obesity. The results further showed synergistic effects between parental overweight and exposure to unfavourable early life factors in the development of child overweight.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study shows the importance of early life factors in the development of child overweight and obesity, and thus puts focus on the importance of early targeted interventions.</p

The experience of nurses working within a volontary network : a qualitative study of health care for undocumented migrants

Purpose: To illuminate the experience of nurses providing healthcare to undocumented migrants in a voluntary network. Methods and sample: In a qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with RNs regarding their experience of providing healthcare to undocumented migrants within a voluntary network. The interview transcripts were analysed using the inductive method of content analysis. Findings: Three main categories emerged – structural inadequacy, ethical dilemmas and challenges, and personal impact and insights. The informants were driven by a strong ethical approach and a great sense of responsibility as human beings and as nurses. Conclusion: Engaging with the voluntary network allowed the informants to cope with their frustration and feelings of inadequacy which emerged when confronted with institutionalized injustice in the conventional healthcare system

A qualitative study of refugee families’ experiences of the escape and travel from Syria to Sweden

Abstract Objective Research shows that, depending on the route of travel during the escape, the journey presents the refugees with different health risks. Traumatic events during flight may have long-lasting physical and psychological effects on the refugee children. Therefore, it is important to illuminate the experiences that refugee families arriving in Sweden have endured during their flight. A qualitative study was conducted through interviews with fifteen recently arrived Syrian refugee families. Results The parents described different reasons as to why they as families had to escape the war. Some families had lost jobs and loved ones in the war and did not want their children to die as well. They mentioned that the journeys varied between 10 and 40 days and were usually filled with struggles and threats. The escape to Sweden was expressed as an emotionally trying journey. Many parents talked about the fear and terror the children felt. Traumatic events during the escape, such as separation from family, death of family members, sexual violence, kidnapping or extortion may have long-lasting physical and psychological effects on the refugee children and their families. Therefore, health care workers meeting and caring for these families after arrival must pay close attention to that

Refugee women's experience of the resettlement process : a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Resettlement can be particularly challenging for women as having a lower socioeconomic status and language barriers, may impede women's access to education, employment opportunities, health-care services, as well as the cultural, social, material and resilience factors that facilitate adjustment and adaption. Thus, the aim of this study is to further explore the perception of refugee women in Sweden concerning their situation during active participation in the resettlement process in the country. METHODS: Qualitative interview study with 11 recently arrived refugee women who had received their residence permits and were enrolled in the resettlement process. The interviews were conducted in Swedish with the support of an authorized Arabic translator present by telephone. RESULTS: Refugee women suffered from being separated from their loved ones and felt compelled to achieve something of value in the host country. All experienced both physical and mental anguish. CONCLUSIONS: Stakeholders in societies that receive refugee women should stress the importance of finding opportunities for and fast entrance into employment in the host countries. This would be beneficial for the integration and well-being of refugee women after migration

Newly arrived refugee parents in sweden and their experience of the resettlement process : A qualitative study

Aims: The Swedish public support system for integration and establishment of newly arrived refugees includes an individualized introduction plan, containing language, civic and health information classes. As the plan requires active involvement, the simultaneous establishment of childcare and school start for children risks creating additional challenges and frustrations. The aim of the study was to explore the experience of adjustment among newly arrived refuge parents in the resettlement process, so as to understand how this risk may be mitigated. Methods: A qualitative study conducted with 24 Syrian refugee parents participating in the resettlement process and having received asylum status. Results: Parents experienced stress due to long waiting times for residence permits and the struggle to find stable housing. The parents established themselves by enrolling in language studies and looking for employment. They also faced challenges adjusting socially since they were mainly meeting people from their own country and therefore felt excluded from the Swedish society. Conclusions: The parents describe the experiences of having escaped from a war-torn country and arrived in new surroundings as mainly challenging for their current situation. Feelings of uncertainty arise as families struggle with daily life while waiting for residence permits, finding stable housing, learning a language and adjusting to new social circumstances. Having this in mind, we conclude that this group of refugees is exposed to health risks in the near future and as such is in need of additional support