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10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033

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A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Global and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 12859

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Kathryn Ann Kelly McQueen

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Guest Editor

Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin Madison/UW Health, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-3272, USA
Interests: global health; global surgery; global anesthesia crisis; humanitarian aid; disaster relief; public health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Children with a Special Issue in the Section “Global and Public Health” in 2023.

On behalf of the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Paul R. Carney, members of the Editorial Office, and ourselves as Guest Editors, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our authors and reviewers for their valuable contributions in ensuring that Children is a successful and respected journal in its field. To celebrate the journal’s 10th anniversary, we will be serving as Guest Editors of a Special Issue focused on the clinical care, service delivery, and research related to the care of children within the context of global health.

Public and global health issues may focus broadly on population-based health issues that impact children and can include epidemiology, prevention, mitigation, and treatment of disease. We warmly invite original research and state-of-the-art review/perspective contributions to pediatric global health.

Prof. Dr. Kathryn Ann Kelly McQueen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

public health programs for children
humanitarian issues related to children
issues related to children in low- and middle-income countries (including pediatric anesthesia, surgery, trauma, and cancer)
health economics in low- and middle-income countries
pediatric health systems research in low- and middle-income countries
health provider training in pediatrics in low- and middle-income countries
health outcomes research for pediatrics
vaccination implementation and outcome research
children living in refugee settings—physical and mental health
children living in crisis—poverty, insecurity, and conflict
the impact of COVID-19 on children worldwide

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A National School Health Campaign in Lebanon on Children Aged between 3 and 12 Years Old: Concordance Level between Parents’ Reports and Medical Visit Findings about Physical and Mental Health

by Léa Tahan, Peter Habchy, Charbel Moussi, Tia Khadra, Melissa Jawich, Alain Njeim, Ogarite Kattan, Leila Abou Habib, Wassim El Bitar, Béchara El Asmar and Mirna N. Chahine

Children 2024, 11(2), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11020214 - 07 Feb 2024

Viewed by 884

Abstract

A school’s commitment to promoting health extends beyond students’ efforts to encompass parental involvement and must recognize the critical role of parents in enhancing overall student well-being. This study, conducted in 27 schools across Lebanon, assessed parents’ awareness of their children’s physical and mental health. A school health campaign involved direct medical interventions on 7184 students, followed by phone interviews with 3880 parents to compare their responses with the medical findings. Discordances ranged from extreme mismatches (≥50%) to mild mismatches (<15%), with notable disparities in incomplete vaccination (67.8%), BMI (59%), and mental health indicators (expressions of sadness (69.1%), loneliness (61.0%), and anxiety (53.4%)). Factors such as school type, child’s age, governorate, family income, parents’ occupation, education level, and marital status significantly influenced discordance rates. Notably, mental health aspects exhibited higher disparities, emphasizing the need for improved communication between parents, physicians, and children. Bridging these gaps could empower parents with better knowledge, fostering environments conducive to lifelong healthy behaviors in children. The study underscores the urgency for enhanced communication strategies to bridge discrepancies and ensure a more comprehensive understanding of children’s physical and mental well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

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26 pages, 3384 KiB

Open AccessArticle

School-Based Pre- and Post-Intervention Tests Assessing Knowledge about Healthy Lifestyles: A National School Health Awareness Campaign on Children Aged between 3 and 12 Years Old

by Charbel Moussi, Léa Tahan, Peter Habchy, Ogarite Kattan, Alain Njeim, Leila Abou Habib, Wassim El Bitar, Béchara El Asmar and Mirna N. Chahine

Children 2024, 11(2), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11020213 - 07 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1071

Abstract

In response to the diverse health challenges faced by today’s youth and their extensive time spent in schools, we conducted a school health awareness campaign aimed at prioritizing well-being and academic performance. This analytical longitudinal study, spanning 27 schools in Lebanon, aimed to assess the impact of the awareness campaign on the health knowledge and practices of 5-, 8-, and 11-year-old students throughout pre- and post-intervention testing focused on general health and healthy habits, employing 11, 14, and 15 questions tailored to 5, 8, and 11 year olds, respectively. The questions covered various aspects, including sleep, personal and dental hygiene, nutrition, physical activity, addiction, security measures, and bullying. Out of the 7100 students who participated, 16.11% (1144 students) were evaluated before and after the campaign. The results indicated a significant increase in health awareness post-intervention across all age groups. For instance, in 5-year-olds, limited awareness decreased from 91.6% to 36.38%, while adequate awareness rose from 8.03% to 62.3%. Improvement varied across health knowledge topics, with security-related questions showing the highest enhancement. Factors such as governorate, normal-weight status, and close supervision influenced improvement. However, no significant correlations were found with school type, size, gender, age, nationality, parental factors, or comorbidities. The study concludes that the school health awareness campaign successfully heightened children’s health awareness, advocating for the integration of regular health promotions into the standard educational curriculum. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

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23 pages, 2830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Referrals and Determinant Factors of a National School Health Campaign in Lebanon on Children Aged between 3 and 12 Years Old

by Peter Habchy, Léa Tahan, Charbel Moussi, Muhammad A. Barakat, Laura Ghanem, Ogarite Kattan, Alain Njeim, Leila Abou Habib, Wassim El Bitar, Béchara El Asmar and Mirna N. Chahine

Children 2024, 11(2), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11020175 - 30 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1151

Abstract

In this extensive study examining the health of 7184 school children aged 3 to 12 in 27 Lebanese schools, screenings involved medical evaluation and interviews, complemented by phone interviews with 3880 parents. Notably, one in two students received a medical referral, revealing prevalent issues such as dental cavities (33%), under-vaccination (25%), undetected vision problems (13%), abnormal growth (6%), underweight (27%), and overweight (33%). Additional concerns encompassed abnormal vital signs (3%), abuse signs (0.6%), infectious skin lesions (1.6%), scoliosis (1.7%), abnormal auscultation (heart 1.1%, lungs 1.2%), ear problems (3.3%), precocious puberty (0.7%), and neurologic signs (0.6%). Mental health challenges affected 20–25% of students. Public schools and Beirut exhibited higher referral rates, with girls, older children, overweight students, those lacking regular pediatrician visits, and children of self-employed or less educated parents facing elevated referral rates. In contrast, children of healthcare workers experienced fewer referrals. Against this backdrop, the study emphasizes the imperative for targeted health initiatives, particularly in marginalized areas and for socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Priority areas include dental care, weight issues, mental health, vaccination compliance, and addressing vision problems to enhance learning outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

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16 pages, 310 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Pre-Pregnancy BMI and Gestational Weight Gain Are Associated with Preschool Children’s Neuropsychological Outcomes in the APrON Cohort

by Gillian England-Mason, Alida Anderson, Rhonda C. Bell, Fatheema B. Subhan, Catherine J. Field, Nicole Letourneau, Gerald F. Giesbrecht, Deborah Dewey and The APrON Study Team

Children 2023, 10(12), 1849; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10121849 - 25 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1013

Abstract

This study examined the associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (GWG) and children’s neuropsychological outcomes at 3 to 5 years of age. A total of 379 women and their children from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study participated. Covariate-adjusted robust regressions examined associations between maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, GWG class, interaction terms, and child outcomes. Each unit increase in maternal BMI was linked to a 0.48-point decrement (95% CI: −0.75 to −0.21) in children’s Full Scale IQ. Higher pre-pregnancy BMI was related to poorer performance on the other intelligence indexes (B = −0.35 to −0.47, 95% CIs: −0.75, −0.02) and lower performance on measures of language (B = −0.08 to −0.09, 95% CIs: −0.16, −0.02), motor skills (B = −0.08 to −0.11, 95% CIs: −0.18, −0.01), and executive function (B = −0.09 to −0.16, 95% CIs: −0.26, −0.01). GWG below the recommended range was associated with a 4.04-point decrement (95% CI: 7.89, −0.11) in Full Scale IQ, but better performance on a spatial working memory test (B = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.52). GWG above the recommended range was associated with lower language (B = −0.79, 95% CI: −1.52, −0.06) and memory scores (B = −0.93, 95% CI: −1.64, −0.22). Interactions were found between pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG on measures of intelligence and executive function. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG are related to children’s performance in various neuropsychological domains and may interact to predict outcomes. Optimizing maternal health and weight prior to conception and during pregnancy may enhance children’s neuropsychological outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

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10 pages, 282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Intensity Interval Training in Female Adolescents with Moderate or Severe Obesity

by Ghazi Racil, Luca Russo, Gian Mario Migliaccio, Paola Signorelli, Alin Larion, Johnny Padulo and Mohamed Chedly Jlid

Children 2023, 10(9), 1495; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10091495 - 01 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1519

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the impact of moderate- or high-intensity interval training (MIIT or HIIT) on anthropometric and biological measurements in four groups of females with obesity. Fifty-seven participants were divided into a moderate obesity group (MOG, n = 29) and a severe obesity group (SOG, n = 28). Two sub-groups were established to practice HIIT and MIIT programs (SOG_HI, n = 14; SOG_MI, n = 14; MOG_HI, n = 14; MOG_MI, n = 15). During the training sessions, each group performed two sets of 4 × 1 min intervals on a cycle ergometer. The intervals were conducted at 65% and 85% of the heart rate reserve (HRR) for MIIT and HIIT, respectively. Between each repetition, there was an active recovery phase at 50% HRR, and, between sets, there was a 4 min period of free pedaling. All groups significantly improved their anthropometric data, while only MOG_HI and SOG_HI significantly improved their lean body mass (LBM) and blood lactate (BL), with p ˂ 0.05; the higher percentage of change in blood insulin levels (−25.49 and −25.34) and the homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance index (−31.42 and −28.88) were noted. Only MOG_HI showed improvements in growth hormone (GH) and blood glucose (p < 0.05), which were negatively correlated with body fat percentage (r = −0.76 and r = −0.72) and waist circumference (r = −0.77 and r = −0.82), respectively. We may conclude that HIIT was an effective method of managing anthropometric and biological parameters, as confirmed by the pronounced body fat reduction in the moderate obesity group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

13 pages, 1340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Parents, Teachers, and Community: A Team Approach to Developing Physical Competence in Children

by Matthew S. Chapelski, Marta C. Erlandson, Alexandra L. Stoddart, Amanda Froehlich Chow, Adam D. G. Baxter-Jones and M. Louise Humbert

Children 2023, 10(8), 1364; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081364 - 09 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1308

Abstract

Increasing children’s physical activity engagement has short- and long-term health benefits. Developing physical competence is a key component of children’s engagement in physical activity. The purpose of our study was to assess if a 12-week home, school, and community-based physical literacy intervention improved the physical competence of children in kindergarten and grade one. Four schools were either assigned to receive the intervention (n = 2 schools) or continue with their usual practice (control sites) (n = 2 schools). Physical competence was evaluated pre- and post-intervention in 103 intervention (41 female) and 83 usual practice (36 female) children using PLAY Fun. PLAY Parent and PLAY Coach tools measured parent and teacher perspectives of children’s physical competence, respectively. The intervention effect was assessed with repeated measures MANOVA to evaluate change in physical competence, with alpha set at p < 0.05. Children in both groups improved their locomotor, object control, and overall physical competence (p < 0.05) over the 12-week intervention. There was a significant intervention effect for locomotor and overall physical competence (p < 0.05). Interestingly, parents did not perceive these changes in physical competence (p > 0.05). However, teachers perceived improved physical competence for children in the intervention. Our physical literacy intervention improved the physical competence of children in kindergarten and grade one. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

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12 pages, 304 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neighborhood Socio-Economic Status Influences Motor Performance and Inhibitory Control in Kindergarten Children—Findings from the Cross-Sectional Kitafit Study

by Nadja Schott, Andi Mündörfer and Benjamin Holfelder

Children 2023, 10(8), 1332; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081332 - 01 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1039

Abstract

Numerous studies have examined the role of socio-economic status on physical activity, obesity, and cognitive performance in youth or older adults, but few studies have examined the role of neighborhood socio-economic status (NSES) on motor or cognitive performance in kindergarten children. This study aimed to examine whether lower NSES (measured by the social data atlas) was associated with lower motor and inhibitory control performance in kindergarten children. One hundred twenty-nine preschoolers were recruited from eight kindergartens in low and high NSES areas in Stuttgart, one of Germany’s largest metropolitan areas. Motor functioning (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, MABC-2; Manual Dexterity, Aiming and Catching, and Balance) and inhibitory control (Flanker Task, Go/NoGo Task) were assessed in a sample of 3- to 6-year-old children within a cross-sectional study. Children from a low NSES background showed the expected difficulties in inhibitory control and motor performance, as indicated by poorer performance than children from a high NSES background. Sex-specific analysis revealed girls from low NSES areas to have the lowest fine motor control; children with low NSES reach a Developmental Coordination Disorder at-risk status of 13% (boys and girls), in contrast to children with high SES (boys 9.1%, girls 0.0%). Motor performance and inhibitory control correlated positively with regard to the group from a low NSES background. Researchers and practitioners are advised to develop a more nuanced picture of motor and academic achievement in heterogeneous neighborhoods when designing early intervention programs, particularly with regard to sex differences, with the most significant disadvantage to girls with lower NSES. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

12 pages, 797 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Family Social Support and Diabetes Self-Efficacy on the Emotional Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Longitudinal Study

by Joaquín Villaécija, Bárbara Luque, Rosario Castillo-Mayén, Naima Z. Farhane-Medina and Carmen Tabernero

Children 2023, 10(7), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10071196 - 10 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1234

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease that is usually diagnosed in childhood, underscoring the importance of early disease control for overall wellbeing. Our aim was to design an explanatory model of subjective emotional wellbeing in children and adolescents with T1D. A longitudinal study was conducted at the Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba (Spain). A total of 151 patients (mean age = 14.50, SD = 2.67; 41.1% girls) participated at T1, while 97 participated at T2 (mean age = 14.93, SD = 2.56; 39.2% girls). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire. Descriptive, reliability, correlation, path, and mediation analyses were performed. The explanatory model showed excellent fit indices [χ² (10) = 8.62, p = 0.57, RMSEA = 0.00, 95% [0.00, 0.10], CFI = 1.00, GFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.93, and TLI = 1.01]. The results showed significant and positive relationships between family social support and subjective emotional wellbeing and improved self-care skills. Self-efficacy presented a mediating role between family social support and subjective emotional wellbeing. Given that self-efficacy is a self-regulatory mechanism and a determinant of health, it is argued that future psychoeducational interventions could aim to improve self-efficacy to manage chronic diseases, to achieve greater emotional wellbeing in children and adolescents with T1D. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

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13 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Individual and Community-Level Risk Factors for Giardiasis in Children under Five Years of Age in Pakistan: A Prospective Multi-Regional Study

by Irfan Khattak, Wen-Lan Yen, Tahir Usman, Nasreen Nasreen, Adil Khan, Saghir Ahmad, Gauhar Rehman, Khurshaid Khan, Mourad Ben Said and Chien-Chin Chen

Children 2023, 10(6), 1087; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10061087 - 20 Jun 2023

Viewed by 2985

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Giardia lamblia infection and identify associated risk factors at both individual and community levels in a pediatric population in different agroecological zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to December 2022. Using stratified sampling, 1026 households were recruited from nine agroecological zones. Stool samples were collected from 1026 children up to the age of five years and processed for detection of Giardia using a commercial ELISA kit. Data on potential risk factors were collected using a pre-structured questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors associated with giardiasis. Results: The study found that the prevalence of giardiasis in the study area was 3.31%. Children aged 13–24 months were found to be at higher risk for giardiasis. Illiterate mothers and fathers attending daycare institutions/kindergartens, mothers not practicing hand washing during critical times, households with companion animals, and homes where stray dogs/cats enter were identified as predictors of giardiasis at the individual level. Children living in sub-mountain valleys use un-piped water, inadequate domestic water storage vessels, drink un-boiled or unfiltered water, live near rubbish heaps or un-paved streets/pathways, and have unimproved latrine facilities were identified as risk factors of giardiasis at the community level. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for integrated intervention approaches at both individual and community levels to reduce the incidence of giardiasis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Interventions aimed at promoting behavioral change and providing safe and adequate water sources, combined with individual-level interventions such as hand washing and awareness of giardiasis prevention methods, would be critical to addressing this health concern. Inter-sectoral collaboration between the health sector and other sectors would also be necessary to achieve meaningful progress in reducing the incidence of giardiasis in resource-limited areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Children: Urgent Issues in the Health of Children – 2023–2033)

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