Child health in child care: a multi-state survey of Head Start and non-Head Start child care directors.
BACKGROUND
Directors of Head Start (HS) and non-Head Start (non-HS) child care centers were surveyed to compare health consultation and screening for and prevalence of health risks among enrolled children.


METHODS
Directors of licensed centers from five states were surveyed from 2004 to 2005. Data were analyzed using cross-tabulation and logistic regression techniques.


RESULTS
A total of 2753 surveys were completed. HS centers were more likely than non-HS centers to consult health professionals (P < .0001). More than 90% of HS centers screened for health problems compared with 64.9% of non-HS centers (P < .0001). Almost all HS centers provided parents with child health information. Children at HS centers were at high risk for dental problems. Less than 3% of HS center directors, versus 11.3% of non-HS directors (P < .0002), reported TV viewing for more than an hour a day.


CONCLUSIONS
Children in HS centers were more likely to receive health consultations and screenings, were at higher risk for dental problems, and watched less TV compared with children in non-HS centers. HS centers promoted health significantly more frequently than did non-HS centers.
Gupta
Ruchi S
RS
Pascoe
John M
JM
Blanchard
Troy C
TC
Langkamp
Diane
D
Duncan
Paula M
PM
Gorski
Peter A
PA
Southward
Linda H
LH
D000288:Administrative Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002656:Child Day Care Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005161:Facility Regulation and Control; D035082:Federal Government; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television; D014481:United States