Dataset Information

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown in children with neurological disorders in Italy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The costs and benefits of full lockdown measures are debated. Neurologically impaired children are a vulnerable population with specific needs in terms of protection against infection and access to health services.

Objectives

We investigated the effects of lockdown on the health of children with neurological disorders and on their access to care during lockdown.

Methods

Data from 514 children (282 males - 232 females) were collected through physician-administered interviews to investigate: the occurrence of viral-like physical symptoms, the correlation between the risk of developing such symptoms and several demographic and clinical variables, the occurrence of any worsening of the children's neurological conditions during lockdown, and their access to care services during this period.

Results

49.1% experienced at least one symptom during the study period, but no child developed severe complications. The prevalence of symptoms was significantly lower during lockdown than during the previous two months. The underlying neurological condition worsened in 11.5% of the patients. Children who regularly left the home during lockdown were greater risk of exhibiting symptoms. During lockdown, 67.7% had a specialist appointment cancelled, 52.6% contacted their paediatrician, and 30.9% contacted their child neuropsychiatrist. Among patients who usually receive rehabilitation, 49.5% continued remotely.

Conclusion

Lockdown protected children from infections. Telemedicine and telerehabilitation constituted a valid alternative for the care and treatment of these children, but they should not become a widespread and definitive model of care. COVID-19 and other emergency response plans must take into account the specific needs of children with disabilities.

SUBMITTER: Bova SM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7832678 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown in children with neurological disorders in Italy.

Bova Stefania Maria SM Basso Martina M Bianchi Marta Francesca MF Savaré Laura L Ferrara Giusi G Mura Eleonora E Redaelli Maria Gaia MG Olivieri Ivana I Veggiotti Pierangelo P

Disability and health journal 20201216 2

<h4>Background</h4>The costs and benefits of full lockdown measures are debated. Neurologically impaired children are a vulnerable population with specific needs in terms of protection against infection and access to health services.<h4>Objectives</h4>We investigated the effects of lockdown on the health of children with neurological disorders and on their access to care during lockdown.<h4>Methods</h4>Data from 514 children (282 males - 232 females) were collected through physician-administered ...[more]

PMID: 33358228

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Project description:This study aims at identifying the tools necessary for COVID-19 health emergency management, with particular reference to the period following the first lockdown, a crucial phase in which it was important to favor the maintenance of protective behaviors. It also aims at identifying the messages and sources that were most effective in managing communication correctly in such a crucial phase that is likely characterized by a fall in perceived health risk (due to the flattening of the epidemic curve) and a simultaneous rise in perceived economic and social risks (due to the enduring calamity). Knowing what source will be most effective to convey a specific message is fundamental in enabling individuals to focus on and comply with the rules. At the same time, it is necessary to understand how the message should be presented, and the relationships between messages, sources and targets. To meet these goals, data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire submitted to a sample of undergraduate students from a University in Lombardy-the region most affected by the pandemic in the first wave- (Study 1), and to a national sample composed of Italian citizens (Study 2). Through our first manipulation which explored the effectiveness of social norms in relation to different sources, we found that, in the national sample, the injunctive norm conveyed by the government was the most effective in promoting behavioral intentions. By contrast, among the students, results showed that for the critical group with a lower risk perception (less inclined to adopt prevention behavior) descriptive norms, which implicitly convey the risk perception of peers, were as effective as the government injunctive norm. Our second manipulation, identical in Study 1 and 2, compared four types of communication (emotional, exponential growth, both of them, or neutral). The neutral condition was the most memorable, but no condition was more effective than the others. Across all message types there was a high intention to adopt protective behaviors. The results indicate possible applicative implications of the adopted communicative tools.

Dataset Information

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown in children with neurological disorders in Italy.

Background

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown in children with neurological disorders in Italy.

Similar Datasets

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