School Perceptions and Attendance for Children With Medical Complexity During Covid‐19 Over Time

Bibliographic Data

ID21354485
AuthorsRyan J Coller (0000-0003-2657-294X, Department of Pediatrics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA, corresponding author), Gregory P DeMuri (0000-0001-6008-8292, Department of Pediatrics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA), Jens C Eickhoff (0000-0003-0525-6462, Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA), Kristina Singh‐Verdeflor (Department of Pediatrics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA), Kristina Devi Singh‐Verdeflor (0009-0003-0689-7197, University of Wisconsin–Madison), Gemma Warner (0009-0003-2264-3736, Department of Pediatrics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA), Sabrina M Butteris (Department of Pediatrics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA), Mary L Ehlenbach (0000-0002-0446-0587, Department of Pediatrics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA), Danielle Gerber (Department of Pediatrics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA), D Timothy Gerber (0009-0006-5535-0253, University of Wisconsin–Madison), Barbara Katz (0000-0002-1453-7429, Family Voices of Wisconsin Madison WI USA), Shawn Koval (Healthy Kids Collaborative, UW Health Madison WI USA), Michelle M Kelly (0000-0002-4749-551X, Department of Pediatrics University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Madison WI USA)
Year2024
Volume94
Issue11
Pages1009-1018
Publication date2024-11-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of School Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4391 • E-ISSN: 1746-1561
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josh.13503
PMID39228276
OpenAlexW4402238533
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited24

BACKGROUND: Disparities in school attendance exist for children with medical complexity (CMC) due to COVID-19. Longitudinal changes in family-reported school safety perceptions and predictors of full-time, in-person school attendance are unknown. METHODS: This was a prospective, longitudinal cohort study with 3 survey waves (June 2021-June 2022) among English- and Spanish-speaking families of CMC aged 5 to 17 years and pre-pandemic school attendance. Changes in Health Belief Model perceptions and full-time in-person school attendance were estimated using multivariate generalized linear modeling with repeated measures. RESULTS: Among 1601 respondents (52.9% of 3073 invited), 86.8% participated in all 3 surveys. School safety perceptions improved with time; however, perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 increased. Full-time in-person school attendance rose from 48.4% to 90.0% from wave 1 to 3 (p < .0001), and was associated with motivation, benefits, and cues. For example, families with low compared to high motivation for in-person attendance had 76% versus 98% predicted probability for child's school attendance, respectively at wave 3 (p < .0001). IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: Probability of full-time in-person school attendance was associated with several health belief model perceptions. School health policy and programs may benefit from promoting family motivation, benefits, and cues during future respiratory illness epidemics including COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: In-person school attendance improved for CMC over time. Opportunities exist to continue optimizing in-person attendance and family-perceived safety for CMC at school.

Attendance · Family medicine · Longitudinal study · Perception · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Psychology · Youth Substance Use and School Attendance

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