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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Impact of parents' education on variation in hospital admissions for children: a population-based cohort study

Frank Olsen1,2, Lise Balteskard2, Bård Uleberg3,2

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway frank.olsen@helse-nord.no.

BMJ Open
|June 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Geographic variations in pediatric hospital admissions were significant but not explained by parental education. Children of less educated parents had higher admission rates, suggesting potential disparities in care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric healthcare utilization
  • Health services research
  • Socioeconomic determinants of health

Background:

  • Significant geographic variations exist in pediatric hospital admission rates.
  • Parental educational level is a potential socioeconomic factor influencing healthcare access and utilization.
  • Understanding these factors is crucial for addressing health inequities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between parental educational level and children's hospital admissions.
  • To determine if parental education explains geographic disparities in pediatric admission rates.

Main Methods:

  • A national cohort study of Norwegian children aged 1-16 years (2008-2016).
  • Analysis of age- and gender-adjusted hospital admission rates and probability of admission.
  • Multilevel analysis to assess geographic variation and the impact of parental education.

Main Results:

  • A nearly twofold variation in admission rates was observed across geographic areas.
  • Parental educational level did not explain the observed geographic variances in admission rates.
  • Children of parents with lower educational levels had higher admission rates and probabilities, but lower admission costs.

Conclusions:

  • Geographic variation in pediatric hospital admissions is substantial but not attributable to parental educational level.
  • Children from lower educational backgrounds experience higher admission rates, indicating potential unwarranted variations in care.
  • Communication and interaction between healthcare professionals and parents may influence these disparities.
Abstract

Keywords:
community child healthepidemiologyhealth policypublic health

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