Improving access to pediatric hydrocephalus care for all: the role of maternal health literacy and socioeconomic status

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Limited research has addressed the barriers impeding access to surgical care for pediatric patients with hydrocephalus. To identify priorities for enhancing access to pediatric hydrocephalus surgical care and to address healthcare disparities, it is essential to understand the level of access to care and the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) and maternal health literacy. In this study, the authors aimed to assess the level of access to surgical care; determine the frequency of more than a 2-week delay in seeking, reaching, and receiving care; and investigate the influence of parental SES and maternal health literacy on these delays. METHODS This observational prospective cohort study involved data collection from a sample of 100 pediatric patients aged ≤ 5 years with hydrocephalus and their mothers, including information on family SES (education, occupational, and economic status). Maternal health literacy was assessed using the Brief Health Literacy Screen (BHLS) questionnaire. The Three Delays framework from the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery, categorizing delays in seeking care, reaching care, and definitive care, provided a structured approach for analyzing access delays. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Among the pediatric patients, there was a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1, with a median age of 1.5 months. None of the patients had insurance coverage that included surgical treatment. A significantly low number of patients accessed care within 2 weeks for seeking care duration (34%), reaching care duration (15%), and definitive care duration (1%). The median time to definitive surgical treatment for the entire study population was 14 weeks (upper SES: median 6.3 weeks, middle SES: median 9.8 weeks, lower SES: median 16.7 weeks). Through Cox proportional hazards regression, a hazard ratio of 0.046 (95% CI 0.010–0.210) was obtained. Multiple linear regression analysis identified BHLS Brief D (β = −0.335, p = 0.001) and SES (β = 0.389, p < 0.001) as predictor variables for delays in seeking care and definitive care, respectively. SES (β = 0.446, p < 0.001) and Evans index (β = 0.233, p = 0.010) were predictor variables for delays in reaching care. CONCLUSIONS Maternal health literacy and SES were identified as factors associated with delays in accessing neurosurgical care for pediatric patients with hydrocephalus. To reduce disparities in pediatric hydrocephalus care, it is essential to implement strategies that promote education, improve healthcare infrastructure, and provide support to families encountering challenges related to low SES and limited maternal health literacy.