The point of view of children in residential and foster care on their health: A comparative study / Le point de vue des enfants en foyer et famille d'accueil sur leur santé : étude comparative

Although it is a major issue, the health of children and adolescents in care is still mainly explored on the basis of information provided by adults in French studies. This study therefore aims to make up for the lack of studies integrating the young people's own point of view and to explore certain aspects of health, as reported by the children and adolescents themselves, by comparing the health of children in care with that of children in the general population. The sample consists of 477 children in care (versus 23,672 who are not). The data were collected through a cross-sectional survey conducted by UNICEF France between October 2020 and March 2022 among 25,300 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 who responded to a paper or online self-administered questionnaire. The main results of this study confirm the existing findings concerning the much greater health care needs of children and adolescents placed outside their homes (foster families, children's homes) compared to their peers. In particular, they underline greater psychological suffering linked to their life histories, health risk practices, sexual violence, and suicidal risk. The discussion addresses the complexity of the issues associated with their health and underlines the importance of taking into account the child's own point of view.

Bien qu'elle constitue un enjeu majeur, la santé des enfants et adolescents pris en charge au titre de la protection de l'enfance reste majoritairement explorée à partir d'éléments renseignés par les adultes dans le cadre des études françaises. Cette étude vise ainsi à pallier le manque d'études intégrant le propre point de vue des jeunes et à explorer certains aspects liés à la santé, tels que les enfants et adolescents peuvent eux-mêmes en rendre compte, en comparant la santé d'enfants accueillis en foyer ou famille d'accueil à celle d'enfants de la population générale. L'échantillon est constitué de 477 enfants placés (versus 23 672 qui ne le sont pas). Les données ont été recueillies dans le cadre d'une enquête transversale réalisée par l'UNICEF France entre octobre 2020 et mars 2022 auprès de 25 300 enfants et adolescents de 6 à 18 ans ayant répondu à un questionnaire papier ou en ligne auto-administré. Les principaux résultats de cette étude confirment les constats existants concernant les besoins de soins de santé beaucoup plus importants des enfants et des adolescents placés hors de leur domicile (famille d'accueil, foyer) comparativement à leurs pairs. Ils soulignent notamment une plus grande souffrance psychologique liée à leurs histoires de vie, les pratiques constituant un risque pour la santé, les violences sexuelles et le risque suicidaire. La discussion aborde la complexité des enjeux associés à leur santé et souligne l'intérêt de prendre en compte le point de vue de l'enfant lui-même.

The physical and psychological health of children entrusted to the care of the child protection and welfare service in Vendée.

BACKGROUND: The international literature has long established the importance of health issues presented by children entrusted to Child Protection and Welfare Service (Aide Sociale à l'Enfance -ASE, in France). This study examined the health of children entrusted to the ASE in Vendée (a French administrative region) in order to better understand and address their health needs. METHODS: A retrospective study of all children (623 out of 920) aged 0-18 years placed in foster care or an institution during 2019 was carried out. The data collection was based on the information in the medical form completed by the doctor during the annual health check. RESULTS: More than one quarter of the children had a written or spoken language disorder, 32% of children did not have a normal body mass index for their age, 10% of children suffered from enuresis, 4% from encopresis, and sleep disorders were observed in 29% of the study population. Furthermore, 51% of the children expressed psychological distress by internalizing or externalizing it, and 6% of children over 6 years of age had already run away or put themselves in danger. CONCLUSION: The results of our study are congruent with the international literature and confirm that children and adolescents in out-of-home care (foster care, residential care) have significantly higher healthcare needs than their peers. The findings also suggest several areas for improving the healthcare of children and adolescents entrusted to the care of the child protection and welfare services.