The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s lives deserve attention. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety among Brazilian children and its associated factors during social distancing during COVID-19. We used a cross-sectional design with an online survey from April to May 2020 in Brazil. We included children aged 6–12 years and their guardians. The Children’s Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ; scores 4–12) and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS; scores 0–10) were used to measure anxiety. We enrolled 157 girls and 132 boys, with a mean age of 8.84 (±2.05) years; 88.9% of respondents were mothers. Based on CAQ ≥ 9, the prevalence of anxiety was 19.4% (n = 56), and higher among children with parents with essential jobs and those who were social distancing without parents. In logistic regression, the following variables were associated with higher CAQ scores: social distancing without parents; more persons living together in home; and education level of guardians. Based on NRS > 7, the prevalence of anxiety was 21.8% (n = 63); however, no associations with NRS scores were found with the investigated variables. These findings suggest the necessity of implementing public health actions targeting these parents and their children at the population level.

To explore siblings'needs and issues when a brother or sister dies of cancer, interviews were conducted with 10 surviving children and young adults. The siblings expressed dissatisfaction with the information they had received and said that they had not felt involved in the dying process with the exception of the terminal period. The siblings stated that their dissatisfaction would have been reduced if doctors and nurses had provided continuous information and support. Loneliness, anxiety, anger, and jealousy were common feelings that they expressed. Friends and school were important to the siblings, representing a normal environment free from the domination of sickness. The siblings also expressed that they needed to mourn in their own way including periods of time when they did not mourn. The absence of the dead sibling was felt particularly during family celebrations. The siblings continued to have special memories and objects, and all still included the dead sibling as a member in the family.

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This study recommends offering siblings realistic information about their ill sibling and support for them in their situation from diagnosis and continuously thereafter. To meet the needs of well siblings, it is necessary to ask the siblings about their thoughts and discuss with them their emotions and worries.

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Objectives: To gain insight into children’s health-related knowledge and understanding of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and COVID-19, and measures adopted to mitigate transmission. Design: A child-centred qualitative creative element embedded in an online mixed-methods survey of children aged 7–12 years. Setting: Children participated in the study in six countries – the UK, Australia, Sweden, Brazil, Spain and Canada. Method: A qualitative creative component, embedded in an online survey, prompted children to draw and label a picture. Children were recruited via their parents using the researchers’ professional social media accounts, through known contacts, media and websites from health organisations within each country. Analysis of the form and content of the children’s pictures took place. Results: A total of 128 children (mean age 9.2 years) submitted either a hand-drawn ( n = 111) or digitally created ( n = 17) picture. Four main themes were identified which related to children’s health-related knowledge of (1) COVID-19 and how it is transmitted; (2) measures and actions to mitigate transmission; (3) places of safety during the pandemic; and (4) children’s role in mitigating COVID-19 transmission. Conclusion: Children’s pictures indicated a good understanding of the virus, how it spreads and how to mitigate transmission. Children depicted their actions during the pandemic as protecting themselves, their families and wider society.

Background Cancer treatments may induce side effects and cause eating problems. A gastrostomy tube may be required in order to maintain and optimise the child's nutritional needs. Despite the use of a gastrostomy tube, it is important to maintain a natural and attractive mealtime for the child. The Five Aspect Meal Model is age neutral and originally designed to improve restaurant visits. Its five aspects conceptualise what is necessary to ensure a complete meal experience. To date, there is lack of knowledge to guided model development about mealtimes adapted to children and limited knowledge regarding mealtime experiences for children with a gastrostomy tube. Aim The aim was to investigate whether the Five Aspect Meal Model could be appropriate to be used for children with a gastrostomy tube in caring science and paediatric care. Methods The design followed steps retrieved from Renjith and colleagues. Seven interviews were performed with the Five Aspect Meal Model as a base in the interview guide. The transcripts were analysed by using a qualitative directed content analysis with a deductive approach, which finally passed into a more inductive one. Findings All aspects of the Five Aspect Meal Model were represented in the interviews. There were also experiences related to the gastrostomy tube and the mealtimes that did not fit into any of the five predetermined categories. As a result, the modified version was developed, an adapted prescribing practice model that includes seven aspects, whereof bodily discomfort and time for change and acceptance are specific to children with a gastrostomy tube. Conclusion Based on children and their parent's experiences, the Five Aspect Meal Model has been developed and adapted into a modified version, which includes seven aspects. The modified version seems to be appropriate to use within caring science and paediatric care.