Child Care Arrangements and Acute Illnesses in Preschoolers

摘要

A study examined the risk of experiencing a respiratory or digestive condition for children who received care in their own homes, in someone else's home, or in a child care center. Controlling for the effects of other variables, children who attended centers had two times the risk of reported ear infections as children in other care arrangements. In addition to center care exposure, risk of illness was increased among non white children, children who lived in less crowded households, and children whose parents were interviewed in the winter and spring months. Comparisons of children with a bed disability day or a restricted activity day by type of day care yielded no significant differences. Findings from the multivariate analyses of the likelihood of a restricted activity day or a bed disability day indicated that family income, gender and socioeconomic status were the only significant factors.