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Salam RA, Khan MH, Meerza SSA, Das JK, Lewis-Watts L, Bhutta ZA. An evidence gap map of interventions for noncommunicable diseases and risk factors among children and adolescents. Nat Med 2024; 30:290-301. [PMID: 38195753 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02737-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Substance misuse, obesity, mental health conditions, type 1 diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases together account for 41% of disability-adjusted life years linked to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among children and adolescents worldwide. However, the evidence on risk factors and interventions for this age group is scarce. Here we searched four databases to generate an evidence gap map of existing interventions and research gaps for these risk factors and NCDs. We mapped 159 reviews with 2,611 primary studies; most (96.2%) were conducted in high-income countries, and only 100 studies (3.8%) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The efficacy of therapeutic interventions on biomarkers and adverse events for NCDs appears to be well evidenced. Interventions for mental health conditions appear to be moderately evidenced, while interventions for obesity and substance misuse appear to be moderate to very low evidenced. Priority areas for future research include evaluating digital health platforms to support primary NCD prevention and management, and evaluating the impact of policy changes on the prevalence of obesity and substance misuse. Our findings highlight the wide disparity of evidence between high-income countries and LMICs. There is an urgent need for increased, targeted financing to address the research gaps in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehana A Salam
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Maryam Hameed Khan
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Syed Saqlain Ali Meerza
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Jai K Das
- Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Laura Lewis-Watts
- Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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2
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Blundell L, Walker SKL, Ellenbogen S, Giwa S, Hatfield K. Factors that influence families' decision to send their children to a week-long pediatric oncology camp and thoughts about attending camp. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2023; 67:102429. [PMID: 37883908 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to understand: families' experience of an overnight pediatric oncology camp open to children with cancer and their siblings aged seven to seventeen (Camp Delight); the considerations that factor into families' decision to attend camp for the first time; and what motivates them to reattend. METHOD Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with families who attended Camp Delight during or before August 2020. Thematic analysis was performed using a framework developed by four coders and MaxQDA software. RESULT Six overarching themes were compiled: precipitating experiences, barriers to attending camp, facilitating factors, benefits of camp, pro-return factors, and activities to improve transitioning to camp and reduce uncertainty. CONCLUSION Child and parent hesitancy, travel cost, and distance to camp represent barriers to attendance. Organizers may mitigate these barriers by partnering with trusted health professionals, communicating safeness and benefits of camps, including siblings, implementing strategies for reducing uncertainty, and increasing accessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Blundell
- Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre, St. John's, NL, Canada.
| | - Sarah-Kay L Walker
- DeGroote School of Business, Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Stephen Ellenbogen
- School of Social Work, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada.
| | - Sulaimon Giwa
- School of Social Work, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada.
| | - Keeley Hatfield
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada.
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3
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Kelada L, Wakefield CE, Drew D, Ooi CY, Palmer EE, Bye A, De Marchi S, Jaffe A, Kennedy S. Siblings of young people with chronic illness: Caring responsibilities and psychosocial functioning. J Child Health Care 2022; 26:581-596. [PMID: 34271837 DOI: 10.1177/13674935211033466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Siblings of young people with chronic illness commonly undertake caring responsibilities for their affected brother/sister, which may encourage maturation, yet may also be perceived as a burden. Our study determined (1) siblings' caring responsibilities, (2) siblings' current emotional distress and psychosocial functioning, and (3) how siblings' caring responsibilities and psychosocial functioning related to familial relationships and coping strategies. Siblings completed questionnaires which contained Sibling Inventory of Behavior, Sibling Inventory of Differential Experiences, PedsQL, emotion thermometers, Brief COPE, and a checklist of caregiving responsibilities. We analyzed the data with t-tests and multi-level models. Forty-five siblings (mean age = 15.40 years, SD = 3.31 years; 60.0% female) participated. Siblings who had caring responsibilities (n = 26, 57.8%) reported lower anxiety symptoms, lower need for help, greater use of problem-focused coping, and more companionship and teaching/directiveness with their affected brother/sister than siblings without caring responsibilities. Siblings reported lower psychosocial and physical functioning when they perceived their parents provided them with less affection than their affected brother/sister. Family-based psychosocial interventions may aim to improve the sibling-parent relationship (including expressing affection) and the sibling-sibling relationship. Future interventions may also focus on increasing siblings' use of problem-focused coping strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kelada
- School of Women's and Children's Health, 146817UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Claire E Wakefield
- School of Women's and Children's Health, 146817UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,Kids Cancer Centre, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Donna Drew
- Kids Cancer Centre, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Chee Y Ooi
- School of Women's and Children's Health, 146817UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,MiCF Research Centre, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Department of Gastroenterology, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth E Palmer
- School of Women's and Children's Health, 146817UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Genetics, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Ann Bye
- School of Women's and Children's Health, 146817UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,Department of Neurology, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandra De Marchi
- Tumbatin Clinic, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Jaffe
- School of Women's and Children's Health, 146817UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,Respiratory Department, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Sean Kennedy
- School of Women's and Children's Health, 146817UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.,Department of Neurology, 63623Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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Vyhlídal T, Dygrýn J, Pelclová J, Chmelík F. Movement behaviours in paediatric cancer survivors during recovery and school weeks. Front Oncol 2022; 12:971805. [PMID: 36172140 PMCID: PMC9510990 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.971805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Paediatric cancer survivors (PCS) are a high-risk population, who can suffer from late effects of their treatment, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular conditions, secondary tumours. Optimal movement behaviours (e.g., limited sedentary behaviour [SB] and sufficient physical activity [PA]) can reduce the side effects or avoid late effects of their treatment. The aims of this study were to analyse movement behaviours and meeting the recommendation of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) a day in Czech PCS, and to compare their movement behaviours during recovery and school weeks in relation to gender, age, and cancer type. Methods Twenty-six PCS aged 7-15 years in remission stage took part in the cross-sectional study. Movement behaviours were measured with Actigraph wGT3X+ accelerometers worn 24 hour/day for 20 consecutive days covering recovery week (13 days at recovery camp) and school week (7 days). Based on cancer types, the PCS were categorized into haematological malignancy or solid tumours group. Results In the PCS, movement behaviours differed between recovery and school weeks. During recovery week, the PCS showed less SB (451.8 vs. 552.3 min/day, p < 0.001) and spent more time on light PA (350.3 vs. 255.1 min/day, p < 0.001), moderate PA (73.2 vs. 37.4 min/day, p < 0.001), and vigorous PA (10.3 vs. 4.0 min/day p < 0.001) than during school week. The PA recommendation was met by 77% (n = 20) PCS during recovery week, but only by 15% (n = 4) individuals during school week. Conclusions The PCS recorded higher levels of PA and lower levels of SB during recovery week than during school week. If provided with appropriate conditions, PCS in the remission stage are able to reach the PA level recommended for the healthy population. Recovery week can be a suitable platform for gaining experience that PCS are able to meet the recommended PA level and could be an integral part of reconditioning and resocialization programmes for PCS after the completion of their treatment.
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The Effect of an Overnight Summer Camp on the Quality of Life for Individuals Who Require Ventilatory Support. Pediatr Phys Ther 2022; 34:421-424. [PMID: 35639546 DOI: 10.1097/pep.0000000000000911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Summer camps are a modality that addresses barriers to social interaction. Although there is a growing amount of evidence supporting camps for individuals with chronic illness, there is no known research on camp experiences for those who require ventilatory support. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of attending camp on self-esteem, social functioning, emotional functioning, and physical functioning for individuals who require ventilatory support. METHODS Eleven participants completed the Pediatric Camp Outcome Measure via an online survey. RESULTS This study found positive correlations between the number of years an individual attended the camp and his or her overall Pediatric Camp Outcome Measure score, as well as social functioning and physical functioning subscales. This study found positive correlations with questions in all subscales with the number of years attending camp. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that attending summer camp may positively impact the quality of life for individuals who require ventilatory support.
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Pathmalingam T, Moola FJ, Woodgate RL. Anything but simple: the disclosure practices of children with cancer in residential camp and non-camp settings. CHILDRENS HEALTH CARE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/02739615.2022.2060831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fiona J. Moola
- School of Early Childhood Studies, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Roberta L. Woodgate
- Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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Kim HY, Kang KA, Han SJ, Chun J. Web-Based Research Trends on Child and Adolescent Cancer Survivors Over the Last 5 Years: Text Network Analysis and Topic Modeling Study. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e32309. [PMID: 35103615 PMCID: PMC8848247 DOI: 10.2196/32309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Being diagnosed with cancer during childhood or adolescence can disrupt important periods in an individual’s physical, psychosocial, and spiritual development and potentially reduce the quality of life (QOL) after treatment. Research is urgently required to improve the QOL for child and adolescent cancer survivors, and it is necessary to analyze the trends in prior research reported in international academic journals to identify knowledge structures. Objective This study aims to identify the main keywords based on network centrality, subgroups (clusters) of keyword networks by using a cohesion analysis method, and the main theme of child and adolescent cancer survivor–related research abstracts through topic modeling. This study also aims to label the subgroups by comparing the results of the cohesion and topic modeling. Methods A text network analysis method and topic modeling were used to explore the main trends in child and adolescent cancer survivor research by structuring a network of keyword (semantic morphemes) co-occurrence in the abstracts of articles published in 5 major web-based databases from 2016 to 2020. A total of 1677 child and adolescent cancer survivor–related studies were used for data analyses. Data selection, processing, and analyses were also conducted. Results The top 5 keywords in terms of degree and eigenvector centrality were risk, control interval, radiation, childhood cancer treatment, and diagnosis. Of the 1677 studies used for data analyses, cluster 1 included 780 (46.51%) documents under risk management, cluster 2 contained 557 (33.21%) articles under health-related QOL and supportive care, and cluster 3 consisted of 340 (20.27%) studies under cancer treatment and complications. Conclusions This study is significant in that it confirms the knowledge structure based on the main keywords and cross-disciplinary trends in child and adolescent cancer survivor research published in the last 5 years worldwide. The primary goal of child and adolescent cancer survivor research is to prevent and manage the various aspects of the problems encountered during the transition to a normal life and to improve the overall QOL. To this end, it is necessary to further revitalize the study of the multidisciplinary team approach for the promotion of age-specific health behaviors and the development of intervention strategies with increased feasibility for child and adolescent cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun-Yong Kim
- Logos Health Design Institute, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Ah Kang
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Suk-Jung Han
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoung Chun
- College of Nursing, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Kelada L, Wakefield CE, De Graves S, Treadgold C, Dumlao G, Schaffer M, O'Brien T. Evaluation of an In-Hospital Recreation Room for Hospitalised Children and Their Families. J Pediatr Nurs 2021; 61:191-198. [PMID: 34118590 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2021.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many children's hospitals have established 'recreation rooms' to help reduce distress among hospitalised children and families. We investigated recreation rooms in two Australian children's hospitals to determine: 1) families' first use of the room (including discovery and delays); 2) characteristics of families accessing the room; 3) parents' positive and negative associations with the room; and 4) parents' most and least valued aspects of the room. METHOD Using a concurrent mixed methods design, parents completed questionnaires (Restorative Experiences Tool, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory) and an optional interview. We analysed data using t-tests and multiple regressions (questionnaires) and content analysis (interviews). RESULTS Parents (n = 123) commonly reported delays in accessing the recreation room (n = 74, 60.2%). Parents' distress was positively related to their frequency of room use (r = 0.28, p = .001). Families of hospitalised children with lower physical (r = -0.36, p < .001) and psychosocial (r = -0.31, p = .001) functioning used the room more frequently than families of children with higher functioning. Parents reported more positive than negative associations with the rooms for themselves (t(121) = 20.92, 95% CI = 4.34-5.25), their hospitalised child (t(117) = 23.91, 95% CI = 5.00-5.90), and any siblings (t(79) = 15.76, 95% CI = 4.28-5.52). Thirteen parents completed the interviews. We identified three themes: 1) respite; 2) social support and reduced isolation; and 3) need for greater accessibility (particularly for infants/toddlers). CONCLUSIONS Respite and social support provided within the recreation rooms may be particularly important for highly distressed parents and families of children with lower psychosocial and physical functioning. Dedicated areas for different age groups may help to improve accessibility of the recreation rooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kelada
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia.
| | - Claire E Wakefield
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia
| | | | - Claire Treadgold
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Research & Evaluation, Starlight Children's Foundation, Australia
| | - Gadiel Dumlao
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia
| | - Maria Schaffer
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia
| | - Tracey O'Brien
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia; Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia
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9
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Jong M, Lown EA, Schats W, Mills ML, Otto HR, Gabrielsen LE, Jong MC. A scoping review to map the concept, content, and outcome of wilderness programs for childhood cancer survivors. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0243908. [PMID: 33406103 PMCID: PMC7787391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systematic mapping of the concept, content, and outcome of wilderness programs for childhood cancer survivors. DESIGN Scoping review. SEARCH STRATEGY Searches were performed in 13 databases and the grey literature. Included studies describe participation of childhood cancer survivors in wilderness programs where the role of nature had a contextual and therapeutic premise. At least two authors independently performed screening, data extraction and analysis. RESULTS Database searches yielded 1848 articles, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of programs (73%) employed adventure therapy. Five activity categories were identified as components of wilderness programs: challenge/risk, free time/leisure, experiential learning, physical activity and psychotherapeutic activities. A majority of the participating childhood cancer survivors were female, white, aged 8-40 years, with a wide range of cancer diagnoses. Reported outcomes included increased social involvement, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-efficacy, social support, and physical activity. Key gaps identified included the absence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), lack of studies on long-term effects, lack of information on the multicultural aspects of programs, and missing information on engagement in nature activities after the program ended. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review guides childhood cancer survivors, their families, practitioners, clinicians and researchers in the development and optimization of wilderness programs for childhood cancer survivors. In addition, it informs the utilization of these programs, and identifies gaps in the evidence base of wilderness programs. It is recommended that future study reporting on wilderness programs include more detail and explicitly address the role of nature in the program. Performing RCTs on wilderness programs is challenging, as they occur in real-life contexts in which participants cannot be blinded. Creative solutions in the design of pragmatic trials and mixed method studies are thus needed for further investigation of the effectiveness and safety of wilderness programs in childhood cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Jong
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - E. Anne Lown
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Winnie Schats
- Scientific Information Service, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michelle L. Mills
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Heather R. Otto
- See you at the Summit, Portland, OR, United States of America
| | - Leiv E. Gabrielsen
- Department for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Miek C. Jong
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), Tromsø, Norway
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Kelada L, Wakefield CE, Muppavaram N, Lingappa L, Chittem M. Psychological outcomes, coping and illness perceptions among parents of children with neurological disorders. Psychol Health 2020; 36:1480-1496. [DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2020.1859113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Kelada
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Claire E. Wakefield
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, Australia
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Nagesh Muppavaram
- Department of Liberal Arts, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Lokesh Lingappa
- Department of Neurology, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad, India
| | - Mahati Chittem
- Department of Liberal Arts, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
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Mader L, Hargreave M, Frederiksen LE, Bidstrup PE, Dalton SO, Kjaer SK, Nielsen TT, Kroyer A, Winther JF, Erdmann F. The impact of childhood cancer on parental separation, divorce, and family planning in Denmark. Cancer 2020; 126:3330-3340. [PMID: 32449155 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood cancer is a devastating experience for the family. The objective of the current study was to assess the impact of having a child with cancer on parental separation, divorce, and future family planning among families residing in Denmark. METHODS The authors conducted a nationwide cohort study using Danish registry data. Parents of children diagnosed with cancer between 1982 and 2014 (7066 children and 12,418 case parents) were matched with 10 comparison parents of cancer-free children per case parent (69,993 children and 125,014 comparison parents). We used discrete-time Cox regression models to compare the risk of separation (end of cohabitation) and divorce between case and comparison parents, and to identify risk factors for separation and divorce among case parents only. Descriptive statistics were used to compare family planning between case and comparison parents. RESULTS Case parents were found to have a slightly lower risk of separation (hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.99) and divorce (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.97) than comparison parents. The authors found that case parents who were aged <45 years, with short education (an International Standard Classification of Education code indicating early childhood education, primary education, and lower secondary education), and who were unemployed were at an increased risk of separation and divorce. Moreover, the parents of children diagnosed with cancer at a young age (aged <15 years) were more likely to separate or divorce. No differences with regard to the total number of children and time to a next child after the cancer diagnosis were observed between case and comparison parents. CONCLUSIONS Having a child with cancer was not associated with an overall adverse impact on parents' risk of separation or divorce and future family planning. These encouraging findings should be communicated to parents to support them along their child's cancer trajectory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luzius Mader
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marie Hargreave
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Pernille Envold Bidstrup
- Psychological Aspects of Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne Oksbjerg Dalton
- Survivorship and Inequality in Cancer, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Services, Zealand University Hospital, Naestved, Denmark
| | - Susanne K Kjaer
- Virus, Lifestyle and Genes Unit, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Anja Kroyer
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jeanette Falck Winther
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University and University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Friederike Erdmann
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
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