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Occurrence of major infectious diseases and healthcare seeking among young children with disabilities in Sierra Leone using cross-sectional population-based survey data.

Authors :
Ekman AT
Cherry E
Sengeh P
Webber N
Jalloh MB
Orsini N
Alfvén T
Frielingsdorf Lundqvist H
Source :
BMJ paediatrics open [BMJ Paediatr Open] 2024 Jun 25; Vol. 8 (1). Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 25.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Background: Children with disabilities are at risk of worse health outcomes compared to children without functional difficulties. Sierra Leone has one of the world's highest prevalences of functional difficulties among children, but little is known about the co-occurrence of major infectious diseases and healthcare-seeking behaviours among children with disabilities.<br />Methods: We used household survey cross-sectional data on children 2-4 years old and logistic regression models estimating ORs between functional difficulties and symptoms of infectious diseases including diarrhoea, fever and acute respiratory infection (ARI), adjusted for sex, age and stunting. We also examined whether caregivers sought advice or treatment for the illness from any source and if the child was given any treatment for the illness.<br />Results: There was an increased risk of fever among children with functional difficulty (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) and children with severe functional difficulty (AOR=1.6, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.7). Children with severe functional difficulty were also at increased risk of diarrhoea (AOR=1.8, 95% CI=1.1 to 3.3). There were no significant differences in seeking advice or treatment for diarrhoea, fever or ARI symptoms between the groups.<br />Conclusions: In Sierra Leone, children with functional difficulties, especially severe functional difficulties, more often have symptoms of major childhood diseases that are known to increase under-5 mortality.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: HFL has received ALF funding for other studies in 2022.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2399-9772
Volume :
8
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
BMJ paediatrics open
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38925678
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2023-002460