Parental Hesitancy and Concerns around Accessing Paediatric Unscheduled Healthcare during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Emma Nicholson, Therese McDonnell, Ciara Conlon, Michael Barrett, Fergal Cummins, Conor Hensey and Eilish McAuliffe
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Emma Nicholson: UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research Education and Innovation in Health Systems, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
Ciara Conlon: UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research Education and Innovation in Health Systems, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
Michael Barrett: Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, D12 N512 Dublin, Ireland
Fergal Cummins: REDSPOT, Emergency Department, Limerick University Hospital, V94 F858 Limerick, Ireland
Conor Hensey: Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street, D01 XD99 Dublin, Ireland
Eilish McAuliffe: UCD Centre for Interdisciplinary Research Education and Innovation in Health Systems, UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-19

Abstract: A decrease in attendance at emergency departments among paediatric populations has been reported during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The present study sought to understand parents’ hesitancy and concerns around accessing healthcare during the pandemic using a cross-sectional survey of parents of children under the age of 16 ( N = 1044) in Ireland. Multinomial and logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors that influenced avoidance and hesitancy. In total, 34% of participants stated that their child required healthcare during the pandemic, of whom 22% decided against seeking healthcare. Parents who reported being much more hesitant about accessing healthcare were more likely to report mild–moderate (Relative Risk Ratio (RRR) = 2.31, CI: 1.54–3.47) and severe–extremely severe stress (RRR: 3.37, CI: 1.81–6.27). Parents who understood government advice to mean avoiding health services were more likely to be hesitant to attend (RRR: 1.71, CI; 1.10–2.67). These effects held when restrictions were beginning to be lifted. Higher levels of stress were associated with a parent believing that the government advice meant that they should not attend health services (OR: 1.66, CI: 1.14–2.41). Public health messaging must ensure parents are reassured on the accessibility and safety of paediatric healthcare services as this public health emergency continues.

Keywords: COVID-19; cross-sectional survey; parents; paediatric healthcare; hesitancy; avoidance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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