Sources of health care and health needs among children in kinship care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the characteristics of children in kinship care and their caregivers who have access to health care (a single source of health care or a single provider), and to determine the relation between indicators of access and health needs.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
A large eastern city.


METHODS
Two hundred ten children selected from households with children in kinship care in April 1989.


METHODS
Data were obtained from medical records, access and demographic questionnaires, and a medical and psychologic evaluation.


RESULTS
A single facility for health care was reported by 93% of the sample; two thirds of those identified one health care provider. One source of care or one provider was associated with variables such as young age at placement and medical assistance insurance. Children who did not have a single source of care were more likely to have unmet health needs (87% vs 61%, P < .05), especially unmet mental health needs (60% vs 31%, P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Children in kinship care had good access to health care, but the level of unmet health needs was high. Children who did not have a single source of health care were more likely to have unmet health needs, especially unmet mental health needs. These findings have implications for future health care planning for children in out-of-home care.
Feigelman
S
S
Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland at Baltimore, USA.
Zuravin
S
S
Dubowitz
H
H
Harrington
D
D
Starr
R H
RH
Tepper
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male