Analysis of morbidity among the child population of the Gomel region

Abstract

Relevance . Examining spatial and temporal variations in child morbidity rates allows for the timely identification of problematic situations in this domain and the concentration of efforts on their prevention. The purpose of the study : is to analyze morbidity indicators of the child population aged 0–17 years in the Gomel Region for the period 2014–2023. Materials and methods . The study used data from annual reports on child morbidity in the Gomel Region for 2014–2023. The research employed analytical and statistical methods, including the calculation of intensive and extensive indicators of primary and overall morbidity, along with an analysis of their dynamics. Student’s t-test was used to assess the statistical significance of differences; differences were considered statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. Results . During the analyzed period, a statistically significant increase in both primary and overall morbidity among the child population of the Gomel Region was recorded, particularly in 2023 compared to 2020. Respiratory diseases rank first in the nosological structure of both primary and overall morbidity. Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue occupy the second rank in the primary morbidity structure and the third in the overall morbidity structure. Infectious and parasitic diseases rank third in the primary morbidity structure and fifth in the overall morbidity structure. In the overall morbidity structure, diseases of the eye and adnexa are in second place, whereas in the primary morbidity structure they rank fifth. Injuries, poisonings, and certain other consequences of external causes hold the fourth position in the primary morbidity structure, while diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue occupy the fourth position in overall morbidity. The peak of child morbidity in the Gomel Region was noted in 2021, which was driven by an almost twofold rise in infectious and parasitic diseases, presumably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion . The data obtained can be used to develop a set of measures for the prevention, early diagnosis of diseases and borderline conditions, as well as for organizing dispensary observation of children, including those who have had COVID-19.