Contextualizing Rural/Non-Rural Differences in Pediatric Primary Care Patterns in South Carolina: A Mixed-Methods Study.

IF 1.3 4区医学 Q3 FAMILY STUDIES

Family & Community Health Pub Date : 2025-10-01 Epub Date: 2025-08-12 DOI:10.1097/FCH.0000000000000438

Caitlin Koob, Kinsey Meggett, Michelle Parisi, Sarah F Griffin

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: In the United States, 30.7% of children aged 10-17 are overweight/obese, increasing their risk of experiencing negative health outcomes. Clinical guidelines urge for frequent visits for preventative weight management. Limited research examines the intersection of primary care patterns and families' perspectives of pediatric primary care in rural South Carolina (SC).

Objectives: 1) Examine rural/non-rural differences in pediatric primary care patterns among Medicaid-insured children, and 2) contextualize differences from families' perspectives.

Methods: SC Medicaid claims were analyzed among patients who had a weight-related diagnostic code and ≥1 primary care visit in northeastern SC from 2018 to 2022 (N = 22,084). Logistic regression examined associations between patient characteristics and traveling for primary care. Additionally, in-depth interviews (N = 12) were conducted to explore families' perspectives in rural primary care access.

Results: Overall, 40.54% of children were diagnosed as overweight/obese. Children living in rural counties, younger, non-Hispanic white, and had a healthy weight were most likely to travel for primary care. Rurality influenced the relationship between traveling for care, race/ethnicity, and weight status. Families express limited trust and perceive poor healthcare quality in their community, motivating their willingness to travel for healthcare.

Conclusion: Findings may inform tailored public health efforts to optimize child and family health across rural SC.

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南卡罗来纳儿童初级保健模式的农村/非农村差异：一项混合方法研究。

背景：在美国，30.7%的10-17岁儿童超重/肥胖，增加了他们经历负面健康结果的风险。临床指南敦促经常就诊以进行预防性体重管理。有限的研究检查的交叉点初级保健模式和家庭的观点儿科初级保健在农村南卡罗来纳州（SC）。目的：1)研究农村/非农村地区参保儿童在儿科初级保健模式上的差异，2)从家庭角度分析差异的背景。方法：分析2018年至2022年在南卡罗来纳州东北部具有体重相关诊断代码和≥1次初级保健就诊的患者的SC医疗补助申请（N = 22,084）。逻辑回归检验了患者特征与初级保健旅行之间的关系。此外，还进行了深度访谈（N = 12），以探讨家庭在农村初级保健可及性方面的观点。结果：总体而言，40.54%的儿童被诊断为超重/肥胖。生活在农村县、年龄较小、非西班牙裔白人和体重健康的儿童最有可能前往初级保健中心。乡村性影响医疗旅行、种族/民族和体重状况之间的关系。家庭对社区的信任有限，并认为社区的医疗质量较差，这促使他们愿意为医疗保健而旅行。结论：研究结果可以为量身定制的公共卫生工作提供信息，以优化农村SC的儿童和家庭健康。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Family & Community Health Multiple-

CiteScore

2.70

自引率

4.30%

发文量

期刊介绍： Family & Community Health is a practical quarterly which presents creative, multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches for effective public and community health programs. Each issue focuses on a single timely topic and addresses issues of concern to a wide variety of population groups with diverse ethnic backgrounds, including children and the elderly, men and women, and rural and urban communities.