Hospital Use of Young Children in Switzerland
Author Information
Author(s): Franziska Schoeni-Affolter, Marcel Widmer, André Busato
Primary Institution: Institute for Evaluative Research in Orthopedic Surgery, MEM Center, University of Bern
Hypothesis
What factors contribute to variations in hospitalization rates of young children in Switzerland?
Conclusion
The study shows significant variation in hospitalization rates for young children in Switzerland, influenced by geographical and socio-demographic factors.
Supporting Evidence
- The mean hospitalization rate was 66.1 discharges per 1000 children.
- 25.9% of hospitalizations were due to respiratory problems.
- Children in urban areas had higher hospitalization rates than those in rural areas.
- Non-Swiss residents had higher hospitalization rates compared to Swiss residents.
Takeaway
This study looked at how often young kids go to the hospital in Switzerland and found that where they live and their background can make a big difference.
Methodology
The study analyzed hospitalization discharge records for children under 5 years over four years, using descriptive statistics and general linear models.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to variations in hospital coding systems and the exclusion of healthy newborns.
Limitations
The study could not separate hospitalizations from rehospitalizations and lacked data on disease severity.
Participant Demographics
Children under 5 years of age, with a significant portion being non-Swiss residents.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0243
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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