Search

Copyright of Public Health Forum is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Against the background of inadequate healthcare provision for children and adolescents with post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS), a model project was initiated in Bavaria (PoCoKiBa: Post-COVID Kids Bavaria), offering specialized diagnostics and care. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences and satisfaction of children and adolescents with PCS, as well as their parents, with the healthcare provided in the model project., Methods: From October to December 2022, seven focus group discussions were conducted via video conference or in person with a total of 32 participants (19 children/adolescents, twelve mothers, one father). These represented 28 children and adolescents affected by PCS (aged 7 to 17 years). The focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis., Results: Study participants talked about their experiences with the care they received within and beyond the model project, continuity of care, communication between doctors and patients, patient information, and the accompanying study. At the sites of the model project, patients found physicians who spent more time with their patients and took them seriously. Following diagnosis, some patients have benefited from recommendations for therapeutic services or everyday behaviours, while others complained about a lack of treatment suggestions or support for dealing with PCS in their everyday life., Discussion: The experiences of study participants with the medical care of their PCS symptoms within or beyond the model project mirror the well-known challenges of healthcare provision. There is considerable room for improvement in the care of children and adolescents with PCS, particularly in the organization of the complex diagnostic process, which involves several organ systems, and in the provision of targeted information to patients and families affected., Conclusion: The supply of healthcare services, as established and offered in the PoCoKiBa model project, is crucial for families with a child affected by PCS, since it can offer expertise in diagnosis and treatment that is currently not available in routine health care., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

Background: With the start of the vaccination campaign, a new phase in the management of the coronavirus pandemic has begun. Approval and recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination of children followed gradually; to date (4 October 2022), vaccination for children under five years of age has not been approved in Germany., Aim of the Study: The aim was to investigate how parents' intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 developed from May 2020 to February 2021 (from the first to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic) and to analyse the determinants of the intention to vaccinate., Methods: In May 2020, 612 families participating with their children aged 1.5-6 years in the KUNO Kids Health Study completed an online survey (participation rate 51%), and 507 completed the second survey in February 2021. Determinants of the intention to vaccinate were analysed for both time points using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models., Results: While 51% of parents reported wanting their children vaccinated against COVID-19 in May 2020, this proportion decreased to 41% by February 2021. At least at one of the two time points, health literacy and perceived competence regarding protective measures against the virus were significantly positively associated with higher vaccination intentions, while belonging to a risk group and the perception that the political measures were exaggerated were associated with lower vaccination intentions., Discussion: Parents' intention to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19 was low and decreased further from the first to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Attitudinal and competence-related determinants were important at both time points and could be targeted in a future vaccination campaign addressing parents of younger children., (© 2022. The Author(s).)