Aims
To examine the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on child mental health and socio‐emotional and physical well‐being (including sleep, diet, exercise, use of electronic media; care giver perceptions of symptoms of child neurodevelopmental disability [NDD] and comorbidities), and care giver mental health and well‐being, social support and service use.
Methods
An online cross‐sectional self‐report survey was distributed via disability service providers and support groups. Care givers of children aged 2–17 years with a NDD were invited to respond to questions on child symptom severity and well‐being, parent well‐being and service access and satisfaction.
Results
Overall, 302 care givers (94.7% female) completed the survey. Average child age was 9.7 years and 66.9% were male. Worsening of any child NDD or comorbid mental health symptom was reported by 64.5% of respondents and 76.9% reported child health and well‐being was impacted by COVID‐19. Children were viewing more television and digital media (81.6%), exercising less (68.0%), experiencing reduced sleep quality (43.6%) and had a poorer diet (32.4%). Almost one fifth (18.8%) of families reported an increase in the dosage of medication administered to their child. Parents reported COVID‐19 had impacted their own well‐being (76.1%). Over half of respondents were not satisfied with services received during COVID‐19 (54.8%) and just 30% reported that telehealth works well for their child.
Conclusion
Targeted interventions are required to address worsening child neurodevelopmental disability, mental health symptoms and poor diet, sleep and exercise patterns. Improved access to telehealth services is indicated, as is further research on barriers and enablers of effective telehealth services.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated system disruptions are impacting all children and young people (CYP) in Australia. For vulnerable groups of CYP, who already experience poorer health and well-being, these impacts are amplified. Challenges include reduced access to usual services, reduced community supports, financial instability, unemployment and other life circumstances that threaten to widen pre-existing inequities. This article aims to present the reasons for vulnerability of CYP during the pandemic, and to focus on actions by health professionals that mitigate additional challenges to their health and well-being. Using a rapid review of the literature and team-based discussions, eight vulnerable groups were identified: CYP with disabilities, mental health conditions and chronic diseases; CYP facing financial hardship; within the child protection system; Aboriginal; migrant and refugee; in residential care; rural; and isolated CYP. Recommendations for action are required at the level of governments, health professionals and researchers and include enhancing access to health and social supports, prioritising vulnerable CYP in resuming health activity and elevating the voice of CYP in designing the response. The pandemic can be conceptualised as an opportunity to create a more equitable society as we document the inequities that have been exacerbated. Vulnerable groups of CYP must be recognised and heard, and targeted actions must focus on improving their health outcomes during the pandemic and beyond.
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