Health indices for the evaluation and monitoring of health in children and adolescents in prevention and health promotion: a scoping review

Abstract

Background Health indicators are used in different settings to monitor health outcomes. Child and adolescent health is arguably one of the most important areas for the application of indices and indicators in prevention and health promotion. Although single health indicators may be better suited to display the complexity of the health status and its determinants, a selected set of indicators will still offer a complex picture. Therefore, it is argued that a group of indicators combined into an index may offer a pragmatic tool that is easier to use in order to inform stakeholders. Methods A scoping review was conducted to identify and describe health indices that monitor and evaluate health of children and adolescents and to appraise the quality and value of the identified indices that may guide the further applications of these indices in particular settings. The three bibliographic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO were searched and a double screening of titles and abstracts as well as double screening of full texts was performed. Indices contained in these studies were analysed in terms of focus and composition and evaluated in terms of quality criteria. Results The scoping review identified 36 eligible studies with 18 health indices in six thematic categories. Of the identified indices, seven indices focus on anthropometrical variables, three indices focus on special aspects of newborns and five indices focus on oral health. One index assesses “healthy lifestyle” and one “functional ability” whereas one index a combination of different aspects. Most indices are calculated by using primary health data. Conclusions Alone or in combination with single sets of indicators, indices in six major thematic domains may be used as pragmatic tools for monitoring children’s and adolescents´ health and the evaluation of interventions in health promotion and prevention settings.

Consented indicators for the evaluation of integrated strategies of community health promotion targeting children and adolescents: results of an eDelphi

“…In total 720 indicators and 18 indices were extracted in our first step based on our search strategy as described previously [ 13 ]. The extracted indicators were categorized into the following indicator domains: “health status”, “health determinants”, “service coverage” and “health system and policy” according to previous classifications [ 1 , 14 ].…”

“…We used a multi-step procedure including (i) a scoping review of the literature to identify potential relevant indicators (see Selmani et al, [ 13 ]) ii) a structured preselection of indicators based on internal quality appraisal, and (iii) an eDelphi study for expert consensus on the final indicators selection.…”

“…1 . Health indicators were identified by a literature search for a scoping protocol published by our group in 2021 reporting on health indices [ 13 ]. All articles identified in the scoping review including indices were additionally screened for potential single health indicators.…”

Use of Telemedicine Healthcare Systems in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Disease or in Transition Stages of Life: Consensus Document of the Italian Society of Telemedicine (SIT), of the Italian Society of Preventive and Social Pediatrics (SIPPS), of the Italian Society of Pediatric Primary Care (SICuPP), of the Italian Federation of Pediatric Doctors (FIMP) and of the Syndicate of Family Pediatrician Doctors (SIMPeF)

“…Last but not least, it is necessary not to limit one’s attention to chronic pathologies alone. The resurgence of sexually transmitted pathologies, psychological distress and the need to foster digital awareness during the growth of families and of the child and adolescent make it necessary to consider health budgets not mere pediatric tools but patient adaptive and indispensable tools in the care pathway from pediatric to adult age [ 92 ].…”

Monitoring the Dutch Solid Start Program: Developing an Indicator Set for Municipalities to Monitor their First Thousand Days-Approach

“…There are, to the best of our knowledge, no other studies that used a Delphi technique to identify indicators for local monitoring of the full first thousand days (approach). There are, however, several previous studies that sought to describe indicators for aspects of the first thousand days, including antenatal care [32], obstetrical care [33], children's health [34], birth center care [35], and maternal and newborn health [36] or care [25] during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Next to that, we found several programs in other countries that were focused to the first thousand days, but the aims, scope and key-design elements of the programs and their evaluation differ [37][38][39][40][41].…”