Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Care System, Education, and Mental Well-being of Children with Cystic Fibrosis and their Parents

Abstract

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic was a concerning time for all with additional co-morbidities putting them at increased risk, including Children with Cystic Fibrosis (CWCF) and their families. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of CWCF and their families in relation to specialist healthcare, education, and mental wellbeing. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken by parents of CWCF in late 2020. The consent form and questionnaire developed by University College Dublin (UCD) and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Ireland were hosted on Smart Survey UK. The survey was advertised widely via social media platforms and the CF Ireland website, during September/October 2020. Results: One hundred and twenty-three parents of CWCF responded, 67 (54.9%) had deferred their child's hospital visits since the start of the pandemic due to fear of )) or due to hospital unit closure (12(19.4%)), with delays ranging from 1 to 6 months. Many parents found online consultation new (56.1%) and over 80% were satisfied with it. With increasing child age, parents felt more confident that their child could take necessary precautions on their own (4.2% vs 58.3%). Key mental health issues faced by CWCF were increased stress and anxiety levels. There was an upward trend in the proportions of experiencing mental health issues with increasing age. Conclusion: COVID-19 has had a huge impact on CWCF and their parents in terms of hospital care and mental health. Parents of older children were more willing to send their children to school. Certain new favoured processes, such as online consultations and emailed prescriptions, may persist as a part of overall care post-pandemic.