Trends in the coverage of 'universal' child health reviews: observational study using routinely available data.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Universally offered child health reviews form the backbone of the UK child health programme. The reviews assess children's health, development and well-being and facilitate access to additional support as required. The number of reviews offered per child has been reduced over recent years to allow more flexible provision of support to families in need: equitable coverage of the remaining reviews is therefore particularly important. This study assessed the coverage of universal child health reviews, with an emphasis on trends over time and inequalities in coverage by deprivation.

Design

Assessment of the coverage of child health reviews by area-based deprivation using routinely available data. Supplementary audit of the quality of the routine data source used.

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SUBMITTER: Wood R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3317139 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature