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The care and health needs of children in residential care in the Maltese Islands 1
Author(s) -
Baron A. Muscat,
Baron Y Muscat,
Spencer N.J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
child: care, health and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2214
pISSN - 0305-1862
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2214.2001.00200.x
Subject(s) - maltese , disadvantaged , medicine , family medicine , population , health care , asthma , pediatrics , residential care , environmental health , gerontology , philosophy , linguistics , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Summary Objectives To survey the health needs of children in residential care in the Mediterranean Islands of Malta and Gozo. Setting Thirteen children's Residential Homes in the Maltese Islands. Study design Cross‐sectional interview survey. Methods Carers at the Residential Homes were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire between June and November 1996. Data related to all the children resident in the homes at the time of the interview were collected including socio‐demographic factors, reasons for admission to care, medical needs and medical services received. Results In all, 309 children, aged birth–16 years—equivalent to 4.2/1000 Maltese children—were in residential care at the time of the study. Fifty‐three per cent were boys and 52% were < 8 years of age. The most common reasons for admission into residential care were single parenthood (25%), separated parents and parents unable to offer adequate care (19% each). Admission ‘medicals’ rarely included a developmental assessment or use of growth charts. Medical and developmental examinations were not carried out on a regular basis and children were medically examined only when required. Dental check‐ups were performed more regularly; 30% of the children had a dental check‐up every 6 months. Behavioural problems were common affecting 20.7% of all children, followed by chronic bronchial asthma which was present in 7.4%. Developmental delay (global or specific) was reported in 23.3% of children under the age of 4. Conclusions Residential care is the predominant form of substitute care for disadvantaged children in Malta and Gozo. The demography of the child population in Residential Homes in these Islands is different from that in other countries, in that 52% of children in residential care are < 8 years of age compared to proportionately more adolescents in other countries. Medical supervision is minimal. A standardised medical and developmental assessment should be established as an essential part of this form of substitute care.