Changes in pediatric healthcare utilization in Hunan Province, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-center cross-sectional study.
Transl Pediatr
; 10(4): 870-881, 2021 Apr.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1237026
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought remarkable disruption to the ways in which healthcare was delivered. This study aimed to examine changes in pediatric healthcare utilization in Hunan Province, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic.METHODS:
An electronic survey was conducted among 142 hospitals in Hunan Province, China. Using data from January 1 to April 30, 2019 as a reference, the changes in the number of visits for different types of pediatric healthcare between January 1 and April 30, 2020 were calculated. Changes in the number of admissions for infections and injuries were also evaluated.RESULTS:
The total number of pediatric healthcare presentations decreased by 53.3% in the first four months of 2020. The most remarkable reductions were observed in the utilization of emergency room (ranging from -45.7% to -94.9% among three hospital levels) and observation room (-55.8% to -77.7%); neonatal inpatient care experienced the smallest decreases (-21.2% to -25.5%). Approximately 85% of the total reduction in the number of pediatric inpatient admissions was attributable to the reduction in admissions for infections. A 13.3% increase in the number of admissions for injuries was observed among third-level hospitals.CONCLUSIONS:
The utilization of all types of pediatric healthcare services in Hunan Province declined markedly after the outbreak of COVID-19. The reasons, consequences, and responses to these changes should be addressed in future studies and actions.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Journal:
Transl Pediatr
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Tp-20-465
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