Health service utilization by mentally handicapped children and factors affecting it

One of the biggest problems faced by parents of handicapped children is the child's health care. This study investigates patterns of heath care utilization and the related factors in children with mental impairment.

This cross-sectional study involved 110 children (≤14 year old) with developmental disabilities in Tehran. Parents were selected by systematic random sampling for face-to-face interview. Statistical analysis was based on negative binomial regression.

Over 99% of the surveyed children received ambulatory care and 15 % had been hospitalized over the preceding year; 0.9% had never used health services. These children had utilized health services 207+18 times in a year. Among these services 38+3 were not subsidized by the State. Factors affecting service utilization were parent information (p<0.033) and referral to the proper service delivery points (p<0.029).

Appropriate interventions are required to address the above-mentioned factors and improve service utilization.