RESUMO
A comprehensive model for routine multi-disciplinary health assessment for children in out-of-home care was piloted in a Norwegian region. This paper reports on identified service needs and mental disorders among 196 children (0-17 years) receiving the assessment. Cross-sectional data was extracted from assessment reports. Results show needs across a range of services, with a mean of 2.8 recommended services for children aged 0-6 and 3.3 for children aged 7-17. Mental disorders were identified in 50% of younger children, and 70% of older children. For all children, overall service need was associated with mental disorders, in addition to male gender among younger children. Need for specialized mental health services was associated with mental disorders among younger children and increasing age among older children. The high frequency of service needs and mental disorders illustrate the importance of offering comprehensive health assessments routinely to this high-risk child population and necessitates coordinated service delivery.
RESUMO
Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported a misaligning of data in Table 3 (weekly results have been put in the column for monthly results).
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Foster children have a high risk of mental disorders. This has contributed to increased international attention to service utilization for youth in foster care. The aim of this study is to examine whether youth in foster care receive services according to need, by using a multi-informant design. METHOD: Detailed information on the type and frequency of service use during the last 2 years and on youth mental health were collected from foster youths and their carers in Norway (n = 405, aged 11-17 years) through online questionnaires. Mental health was assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using descriptive statistics and log-binominal regressions. RESULTS: In total, 48.8% of foster youths showed evidence of mental health problems, and 74.5% of foster families had contact with services. Increased mental health problems and living in non-kin foster care were associated with more service use. Youths with mental health problems had twice the probability of receiving services from the child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) and primary health care services compared to youths without problems. However, 57.0% of youths with carer-reported mental health problems did not have contact with CAMHS. CONCLUSIONS: Service use among foster youths was associated with service need rather than demographic and placement characteristics. The majority of youths with mental health problems did not receive services from CAMHS. However, many of them were in contact with primary health care services.
