Morbidity and healthcare utilisation of children in households with one adult: comparative observational study.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and consider differences in morbidity in children in households with one adult presenting to general practitioners compared with children in households with more than one adult.


METHODS
Observational study; data analysed with logistic regression controlling for age, sex, and practice.


METHODS
93 356 children aged 0-15 years included in the fourth national study of morbidity in general practice and for whom data about household structure were available. Among them 10 983 (11.8%) were living in households with a sole adult.


METHODS
Morbidity data were recorded from each consultation as the assessment diagnosis made by the general practitioner.


METHODS
Number of consultations and consultations per person for any illness, infections, acute respiratory infections, asthma, and accidents; number presenting and mean consultations per person for immunisation; number receiving home visits and home visits per person visited; average annual frequency of consultation among those consulting.


RESULTS
Compared with children in other households, a higher proportion of children in households with one adult consulted for infections and accidents. The proportion consulting for immunisation was lower and the proportion receiving home visits greater. Mean numbers of consultations per person consulting were also generally higher for all conditions. For infections, accidents, and home visits, the differences were evident in all age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The study confirms the importance of single parent families as an indicator of deprivation. Children in such families should be targeted for immunisation and accident prevention.
Fleming
D M
DM
Birmingham Research Unit, Royal College of General Practitioners, Birmingham B17 9DB. Bill@rcgp-bru.demon.co.uk
Charlton
J R
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006792:House Calls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012423:Rural Health; D015406:Single Parent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012923:Social Class; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health; D016526:Workload