Michelle Dey1, Jen Wang, Anthony Francis Jorm, Meichun Mohler-Kuo. 1. Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia, michelle.dey@unimelb.edu.au.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare children with mental and physical health problems regarding (1) perceived disease severity; (2) the impact of their condition on their families; (3) their utilization of health care services (including satisfaction with care); and (4) parents' health literacy about their child's condition and its treatment. Furthermore, we examined whether parents' health literacy differs between types of mental health condition. METHODS: Parental reports about their 9- to 14-year-old children with mental (n = 785) or physical health problems (n = 475) were analyzed from the population-based National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs in Switzerland. RESULTS: Mental health problems were perceived as being more severe (p < 0.001) and exerting a larger impact upon the family (e.g., financial impact) than physical health problems. Furthermore, fewer parents of children with a mental health problem mentioned having a particular person or place to contact if they needed information or advice regarding the child's condition (p = 0.004) and were satisfied with the health care services their child received (p < 0.001). The odds of low health literacy was higher among parents with children suffering from mental health problems vs. parents of children with physical health problems (OR in the adjusted model = 1.92; 95 % CI 1.47-2.50; p < 0.001); this finding held generally for mental health problem (although only a trend was observable for internalizing problems). CONCLUSIONS: The large impact of children's mental health conditions on themselves and their families might be reduced by adapting the provision of health care and by increasing parents' health literacy.
PURPOSE: To compare children with mental and physical health problems regarding (1) perceived disease severity; (2) the impact of their condition on their families; (3) their utilization of health care services (including satisfaction with care); and (4) parents' health literacy about their child's condition and its treatment. Furthermore, we examined whether parents' health literacy differs between types of mental health condition. METHODS: Parental reports about their 9- to 14-year-old children with mental (n = 785) or physical health problems (n = 475) were analyzed from the population-based National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs in Switzerland. RESULTS: Mental health problems were perceived as being more severe (p < 0.001) and exerting a larger impact upon the family (e.g., financial impact) than physical health problems. Furthermore, fewer parents of children with a mental health problem mentioned having a particular person or place to contact if they needed information or advice regarding the child's condition (p = 0.004) and were satisfied with the health care services their child received (p < 0.001). The odds of low health literacy was higher among parents with children suffering from mental health problems vs. parents of children with physical health problems (OR in the adjusted model = 1.92; 95 % CI 1.47-2.50; p < 0.001); this finding held generally for mental health problem (although only a trend was observable for internalizing problems). CONCLUSIONS: The large impact of children's mental health conditions on themselves and their families might be reduced by adapting the provision of health care and by increasing parents' health literacy.
Authors: Annemarie Wright; Meredith G Harris; John H Wiggers; Anthony F Jorm; Sue M Cotton; Susy M Harrigan; Rosalind E Hurworth; Patrick D McGorry Journal: Med J Aust Date: 2005-07-04 Impact factor: 7.738