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Awareness of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Among US Parents: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Lyndsey D Cole1,2, E Adrianne Hammershaimb3,4, Yuanyuan Liang3,5
1Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
Insights
Parental awareness of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a severe COVID-19 complication, remains low. Increased education is needed to improve understanding of MIS-C risks and pediatric disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare but severe condition following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Parental awareness of MIS-C is not well understood, necessitating research into knowledge gaps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess parental awareness of MIS-C in the United States.
- To identify demographic factors associated with MIS-C awareness.
- To examine the relationship between MIS-C awareness and perceptions of COVID-19 severity and susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- A nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of US parents was conducted (October-November 2021).
- Ipsos KnowledgePanel administered the survey, collecting data on demographics, MIS-C awareness, and COVID-19 perceptions.
- Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to identify factors associated with MIS-C awareness.
Main Results:
- Only 32% of surveyed parents had heard of MIS-C.
- Higher education, being a healthcare worker, having a child with a chronic condition, and prior severe COVID-19 experience were linked to greater MIS-C awareness.
- Awareness was lower among parents of adolescents (12-17 years), male respondents, and younger adults (18-34 years).
- MIS-C awareness correlated with higher perceived COVID-19 severity and susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- A significant gap exists in parental awareness of MIS-C, a critical complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Public health initiatives are needed to enhance parental understanding of MIS-C.
- Further research should investigate educational strategies to improve knowledge of MIS-C and its association with pediatric COVID-19 severity.
Background:
Little is known about parental awareness of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but severe sequela of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.
Methods:
Via a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of US parents conducted via Ipsos KnowledgePanel from October to November 2021, we used bivariate and multivariable analyses to describe and identify demographic variables associated with parental knowledge of and attitudes toward MIS-C and to examine associations with perceived coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and susceptibility.
Results:
Response rate was 64.2% (3230/5034). Thirty-two percent of respondents had heard of MIS-C. After adjustment, higher educational level (compared to high school degree; some college: odds ratio [OR], 2.00 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.44-2.77]; bachelor's degree or higher: OR, 3.14 [95% CI, 2.26-4.35]), being a healthcare worker (OR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.37-2.42]), having a child with a chronic medical condition (OR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.22-2.14]), and experience with more severe COVID-19 (OR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.14-1.86]) were associated with MIS-C awareness. Respondents with a child aged 12-17 years were less likely to be aware of MIS-C compared to those without (OR, 0.78 [95% CI, .63-.96]), as were male respondents (OR, 0.56 [95% CI, .46-.69]) and respondents aged 18-34 years (OR, 0.72 [95% CI, .54-.94]) compared to those aged 35-44 years. Awareness of MIS-C was associated with higher perceived COVID-19 severity and susceptibility (regression coefficients, 0.18 [95% CI, .10-.25], P < .001; 0.19 [95% CI, .11-.28], P < .001, respectively).
Conclusions:
This survey highlights the need to increase parental awareness of MIS-C. Future studies should explore how education regarding MIS-C as a complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection could improve understanding of pediatric disease severity and susceptibility.
