Psychosocial impact of COVID-19 pandemic on children of healthcare workers at a private tertiary hospital in Manila using the Pediatric Symptoms Checklist-35
10.56964/pidspj2024501003
- Author:
Rosanne M. Feliciano
1
;
Jacqueline Sew
1
;
Shirley Kwong-Buizon
1
Author Information
1. Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Children of healthcare workers;
PSC -35
- MeSH:
COVID-19;
Pandemics
- From:
Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines Journal
2024;25(1):16-29
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:The COVID-19 pandemic led to a public health emergency causing changes that may pose a greater
risk of behavioral and psychosocial problems for children. Children of healthcare workers are possibly at increased
risk of mental health problems due to their parent’s constant exposure to COVID-19. The Pediatric Symptoms
Checklist-35 (PSC-35) is one of the validated psychosocial screening tools that helps identify emotional, cognitive,
and behavior problems in children.
Objective:To determine the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 pandemic on 6-16 years old children of healthcare
workers using the PSC-35.
Methodology:This is a cross-sectional analytic study. Demographic and clinical data were collected. PSC-35 were
administered from June 2023-September 2023 to the healthcare worker parents with children aged 6-16 years old.
Using this validated PSC-35, questions are a series of signs and symptoms related to impairments in cognitive,
emotional, and/or behavioral well-being of children. This 35-item questionnaire was rated and scored as 0 for
Never,1 for Sometimes, and 2 for Often. The total scores were evaluated, calculated, and interpreted. A cut off
score of 28 or higher indicates a high possibility psychosocial impairment that warrant further investigation or
referral to a specialist.
Results and Conclusions:Out of 372 respondents, 4.57% (n=17) children were found at risk of psychosocial
impairment with PSC-35 score of 28 and higher. Two demographic factors were found to have a significant
correlation with scores above the cutoff: maternal occupation (p-value 0.018) and the presence of comorbidity in
the parent (p-value 0.000). Children found to be at risk were advised consultation with a specialist.
- Full text:20240628072947596124-COVID-19-Psychosocial-Impact.pdf
