Study on the Status of Health Service Utilization among 3–5 Years Old Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

The left-behind children (LBC) in China generally refer to children who remain in rural regions under the care of kin members while their parents migrate to urban areas. Due to some reasons, e.g., poverty, poor transportation conditions, lack of health resources, and preschool child care, it is hard for preschool-aged rural LBC to obtain essential health services. Random cluster sampling was used to recruit the caregivers and all the 3–5-year-old LBC in two rural counties in Hunan Province. A questionnaire was used to collect data on LBC demographics via face-to-face interviews with the caregivers. Health service needs were evaluated by the two-week prevalence rate, while health service utilization was measured by the two-week physician visit rate. Of the 559 respondents in the study, the two-week prevalence rate was 44.2% and the two-week physician visits rate was 48.6%. Nearly half of the sick children did not go to a hospital, 45.7% self-treated, and 5.3% did not take any treatment. The utilization rates of “health check,” “eye exam,” and “hearing screening for 3-year-olds” were extremely low (57.3%, 29.3%, 18.7%). The utilization rate of health services for preschool LBC in poor rural areas was extremely low, which can affect the normal growth and development of children.

Emotional and Behavioral Problems Among 3- to 5-Year-Olds Left-Behind Children in Poor Rural Areas of Hunan Province: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, most preschool-aged LBC in China are scattered in poor rural areas without LBC care institutions, such as kindergartens, making it difficult for the country’s existing basic public health service policies and related mental health interventions to benefit this vulnerable group. This study also found that the utilization of health services by LBC and their caregivers in poor rural areas was extremely low [2,3].…”

Epidemiology of pediatric eye injuries requiring hospitalization in rural areas of Wenzhou and Changsha, China: a 10-year retrospective study

“…In recent years, the number of left-behind children in rural areas has increased markedly. A national survey in 2013 reported 61.025 million left-behind children [3], most of whom were raised by elderly caretakers. Low education levels, economic disadvantages and irresponsible child supervision all contributed to the alarmingly high incidence rate of eye injuries among rural children, with percentages as high as 46.7-48.1% [4,5].…”

Nutritional status of children left behind by migrant parents: Evidence from a survey in rural Anhui, eastern China

“…Children aged 3–6 years have acquired their preliminary independence and initiative, and are gradually learning to eat independently, which is the best stage for them to develop sound eating behaviours. Separated from their parents during this period, especially their mothers, children are more likely to have externalised developmental problems and internalised emotional problems than those who live with their parents (Liu, Yang, et al., 2018; Ouyang et al., 2019).…”