Medical and inpatient care in childhood and adolescence : Representative results of the federal state module Thuringia in KiGGS wave1

Abstract

At ayoung age, health care is mainly provided by doctors in private practice. In this study, the health care of children and adolescents in Thuringia is analysed. Data base is the federal state module Thuringia (2010-2012, n= 4884; 0-17years), which was conducted by the Robert Koch Institute as part of KiGGS wave1 (2009-2012). The health care of children and adolescents is described based on 7indicators: total medical visits, paediatrician visits, general practitioner visits, hospitalisation, health screening examinations and vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV). Prevalence and mean values with 95 % confidence intervals were reported, and with logistic and linear regressions, the significance of the group differences was examined. Results show that 93.9 % of children and adolescents aged 0-17years in Thuringia went in the last 12months to doctors in private practice; the average number of doctor visits was 6.6contacts. 75.1 % of 0‑ to 17-year-olds were treated by apaediatrician, and 29.9 % visited ageneral practitioner. In addition, 13.1 % of 0‑ to 17-year-olds in Thuringia have spent at least one night in hospital in the last 12months; the average number of hospital nights was7.2. With 90.5 %, the majority of the children aged 7-13years completed the health screening program for children (U3-U9, without U7a). 67.5 % of the 14- to 17-year-old girls were vaccinated against HPV with at least one dose (lifetime prevalence), and 56.3 % have received afull vaccination with 3doses. In addition, 62.0 % of 14- to 17-year-old girls went at least once to agynaecologist. There are significant differences by gender, age, socio-economic status and place of residence (urban/rural). In summation, the results indicate ahigh utilisation rate by children and adolescents in Thuringia. Additionally, the findings point out prevention potentials such as the vaccination against HPV.