Health care needs of the children of single mothers in a Perth suburb.

This paper reports a prevalence study of illness in children in a lower socioeconomic suburb of Perth. The study shows that single mothers reported higher rates of both emotional and physical disorder in their children compared with mothers from nuclear families. The children from single families were also reported as having a poorer immunization status. It is argued that children from single families constitute a vulnerable group and deserve special attention from those in the health system who care for children.