Purpose: Research suggests that paediatric feeding disorder induces significant stress in caregivers and exacerbates health inequities. However, the relationship between social determinants of health and the worry that paediatric feeding disorder caregivers experience remains unexplored.
Method: Race, ethnicity, and language data were collected via chart review from 238 visits between speech-language pathologists and children with paediatric feeding disorder. USA census data were used to determine median household income and high school degree rates for each patient's residential area code. Statistical associations between social determinants of health and the worry that caregivers reported on a 10-point Likert scale were investigated.
Result: The mean worry level for the cohort was 6.2 (SD = 3.0). English and non-English speaking caregivers experienced worry levels of 5.7 and 6.8 respectively (p = 0.006). The mean worry for select races was investigated: Asian (6.5), African American (6.2), Hispanic (6.5), Other/not-reported (6.1), and White (6.2) (p = 0.890). The worry levels of caregivers living in area codes with mean household incomes above and below the group average were 5.8 and 6.4 respectively (p = 0.100). Caregivers living in area codes with high school degree rates above and below the group average had mean worry levels of 6.1 and 6.3 respectively (p = 0.584).
Conclusion: Language barriers are associated with increased worry in caregivers of children with paediatric feeding disorder.
Keywords: caregiver worry; dysphagia; language barriers; paediatric feeding disorder; social determinants of health.