Benefit of Using Sick Child Care Facilities to the Children and Their Parents

Abstract

Introduction: Sick child care is a form of nursing care provided temporarily for sick children when they cannot be cared for by their parents at home. To clarify the benefits of using sick child care facilities for children and their parents, we surveyed these parents about the benefits of such care and their needs. Method: Study design: Descriptive research. We studied parents whose children had used one of the 11 sick child care facilities for sick children in Hiroshima City in 2014. A total of 156 parents consented to participate in the study. We investigated their usage situation of sick child care, perceived benefits of such care, and care-related requests in a quantitative and qualitative manner. Results: Both nuclear families consisting of the dual income parents and their children and single-mother households reported that their children (mean age: 2.46 years [SD: 1.77 years]) had used sick child care because of infectious diseases. Approximately 10% of the parents were using the fee reduction systems of sick child care intended for people with a low income. Parents viewed sick child care as beneficial both in early the health recovery of children, and as support for child raising and working. On the other hand, some parents left their children at home alone when sick child care was not available due to the limited number of sick child care facilities and an insufficient capacity to accept children. Some parents desired an increased number of care facilities, as well as a reduction in or subsidies for care fees. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that, to ensure children’s health and safety, and support their parents for working and child raising, there is a need to increase the number of sick child care facilities along with expanding care services.