Health literacy of parents/caregivers of paediatric surgical patients: A study on 1000 individuals.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of studies concerning health literacy (HL) of parents/guardians of patients in paediatric surgery. The purpose of our study is to measure HL levels of parents/guardians of paediatric surgery patients and to explore the determinants of low HL levels in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2016 to July 2018 through in-person interviews of parents/guardians of paediatric surgical patients. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded, and HL levels were calculated using a validated tool (HLS-EU-Q16). In order to examine the impact of various sociodemographic variables and clinical data on HL, a multivariate regression model was run. RESULTS: A total of 1000 participants were recruited (recruitment rate 93.5%). Slightly less than half (44.2%) presented problematic or inadequate HL levels. The results of the regression analysis showed that nationality other than Greek (ß = -2.180, P < 0.001) and lower health insurance status (ß = -0.461, P < 0.05) were associated with lower HL levels. HL was found positively associated with the educational level of the parent (ß = -0.775, P < 0.001) and being a health professional (ß = 1.791, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of low HL levels in the parents/guardians of paediatric surgical patients is high and should not be neglected both in the pre-operative and post-operative setting. Communication should be tailored to the specific needs of each individual to achieve better engagement and quality of care.

Parental anxiety in pediatric surgery consultations: the role of health literacy and need for information.

INTRODUCTION: Although important, parental anxiety, health literacy and need-for-information in pediatric surgery outpatient clinics have not been extensively studied. Lower educational attainments, minorities and lower socioeconomic status have been associated with limited health literacy. Parental anxiety has been related to health literacy, sex, education and information needs. The aim of this study is to investigate health literacy and need-for-information and their association to parental anxiety in consultations of pediatric surgery. MATERIALS & METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study in the outpatient pediatric surgery clinic from December 2016 to October 2017. Health literacy, anxiety and need-for-information of parents/guardians of children waiting for pediatric surgical consultation were evaluated. Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine the impact of health literacy and need-for-information on parental/guardian anxiety considering sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Almost half (46.1%) of the 664 parents/guardians recruited had limited or problematic health literacy and 79.8% of the sample was classified as being anxious. Parental/guardian anxiety was associated at the multiple regression analysis with parental health literacy level (ß = -0.282, p < 0.001), need-for-information preoperatively (ß = 0.907, p < 0.001), educational level (ß = -0.716, p = 0.001), sex (ß = 1.563, p < 0.001), and severity of the condition of the child (ß = 0.379, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Parents/guardians experience high levels of anxiety, which is associated to health literacy and need-for-information. These factors should be considered in pediatric surgical consultations, aiming to reduce parental anxiety. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Parental Health Literacy in the Pediatric Surgical Setting.

Health literacy (HL) in the pediatric setting has been associated with poor health outcomes and plays an important role in the existing health disparities. Low parents caregivers HL influences health outcomes mainly in chronically ill children. Trying to identify the role of HL in the pediatric surgical and dentistry setting, we conducted a review of the relevant literature. The paucity of studies and the heterogeneity of the methodology do not lead to specific results. The need for more and larger studies in the field is evident and crucial in order to ameliorate the quality of surgical care in pediatric patients.

Azygos vein cannulation after catheterisation of the left internal jugular vein in a toddler.

Central venous catheterisation is routinely performed in paediatric patients to facilitate therapeutic management when long-term vascular access is needed. Misplacement of the catheter tip in thoracic vessels other than the superior vena cava has been described, along with related complications. Hereby, a case of a 15-month-old child is presented with a fully functional Hickman catheter introduced via the left internal jugular vein. The tip of the catheter was misplaced into the azygos vein. Intraoperative spot fluoroscopic images and anatomical explanations for the course of the catheter are presented. An understanding of the aetiology of the radiological appearance may help to increase recognition of such cases and avoid complications.

Long-term intestinal obstruction sequelae and growth in children with cystic fibrosis operated for meconium ileus: expectancies and surprises.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In the few studies on intestinal complications and growth of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with a history of meconium ileus (MI), operated MI has not been investigated separately. We aimed to investigate the incidence of long-term intestinal obstruction sequelae [constipation, distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS)] and growth in CF patients operated for MI. METHODS: Retrospective study (1989-2016) including operative diagnoses and procedures, constipation and DIOS events, yearly Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements. Outcomes were examined in subgroups operated for MI only and for MI with atresia and/or volvulus. RESULTS: Of 49 patients followed-up for 15 (mean) years, 5 (10.2%) developed constipation and 14 (28.6%) DIOS. BMI was within normal percentiles in 53 patients over a 10-year follow-up. MI only and MI with atresia and/or volvulus did not differ in constipation and/or DIOS incidence (11/34 vs. 7/15, p=0.39) or in BMI (p=0.47). Cases with ileocecal valve resection (ICV-R) showed lower constipation and/or DIOS incidence than those without ICV-R (0/6 vs. 11/28, p=0.02) and no different BMI (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CF patients operated for MI were in long-term risk for constipation/DIOS; their growth was normal. Interestingly, underlying atresia/volvulus neither increased constipation/DIOS risk nor affected growth. Strikingly, ICV-R showed no constipation/DIOS risk and no impact on growth. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective comparative study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.