Problemas de salud prevalentes en los menores en centros de acogida

Abstract

Introduction: Children under protection measures constitute a vulnerable population from both social and health standpoints. The main limitation detected in a review of the recent literature is the scarcity of studies on the health status of minors during their stay in the protection system. We proposed to study the health status of a population in a basic residential care program, investigating differences among age groups and analyzing the association of different variables with time of institutionalization. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed that involv­ed two visits to the centres: the first to review the records of the minors and the second to carry out physical examinations. For the statistical study, the sample was divided into three age groups (0-5, 6-12 and 13-18 yrs) and the chi2, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used for comparative analyses and statistical significances. Results: We revised 294 children. Prevalence of global malnutrition was 4%, highest in the 0-5-yr group; prevalence of overweight was 18%, highest in the 6-12-yr group. The most frequent disorders were: ENT (63.9%); dermatological (34.9%), most prevalent in children <12 yrs; and behavioural (28.1%), most prevalent in children >6 yrs old; 40% were under specialist follow-up. Longer stays in the institution were associated with a psychopathological diagnosis and higher frequency of specialist follow-up. Conclusions: The health status of institutionalised minors can in general be considered adequate. The main differences with the general population derive from the presence of somewhat higher malnutrition rates in the 0 to 5-year-olds and an elevated prevalence of ENT, dermatological, psychological and behavioural pathologies. We highlight the vulnerability of 6 to 12-year-olds, who have a larger number of healthcare needs.