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Child morbidity in the Kingston metropolitan area, Jamaica 1983
1Department of Geography, University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica.
Insights
Spatial variations in child morbidity were analyzed in Kingston. Certain areas showed significantly higher child admission rates, highlighting specific community health needs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Child morbidity presents significant public health challenges.
- Understanding spatial variations in child health is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze spatial variations in child morbidity within the Kingston metropolitan area.
- To identify areas with significant excesses or deficits in child hospital admission rates.
Main Methods:
- Examined case reports of children admitted to public and private hospitals.
- Applied Poisson probability tests to analyze spatial variations in admission rates.
- Conducted a child health survey in three selected special areas.
Main Results:
- 20 out of 72 special areas showed significantly higher child admission rates (p<0.025).
- 3 special areas exhibited significantly lower child admission rates.
- The health survey corroborated the hospital admission patterns.
Conclusions:
- Significant spatial variations in child morbidity exist in Kingston.
- Children of young, unemployed, and single mothers may be particularly vulnerable.
- Findings can inform targeted public health strategies for child health improvement.
Abstract:
The case reports of all children admitted to public and private hospitals in the Kingston metropolitan area were examined for an analysis, by special areas, of spatial variations in child morbidity. A Poisson probability test was applied in order to determine areas of significant excesses in admission rates and three special areas selected for a child health survey. At the 0.025 significance level 20 of the 72 special areas had significantly higher and three significantly lower levels of admission. The survey confirmed the pattern revealed by hospital admissions and suggested that the children of young, unemployed and single women may be particularly vulnerable.
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