Summary
The economic consequences of illnesses among children in day-care centers (DCCs) were estimated in Helsinki during a one-year period, 1985–1986. The municipal DCCs took care of altogether 14,882 children at the end of 1985. In terms of money value in 1990, the total loss due to illnesses among all DCC children was $ 22,485,000 (1 US dollar=3.80 FIM). Nearly half (46%) of this loss was caused by illnesses among children under three years of age, although these represent only 20% of the children in day care. The losses were $ 3,535 per child place in use among children under three years of age and $ 1,012 among older children. Economic losses due to the guardian's absence from work totalled $ 1,623, deficient utilization of DCCs $ 1,254, visits to a physician $ 169, hospitalization $ 221, paid care of children at home $ 219 and antibiotic courses $ 12 per child place in use for those under the age of three years. The corresponding figures for older children were 541, 248, 95, 51, 73 and 4 dollars per child. More than 90% of illnesses and costs were caused by infectious diseases. Because the costs due to illnesses among children under three years of age were more than three times as high as those for older children, preference should be given to home care and family day care for younger children and efforts should be made to find out how to build healthy DCCs for them.
Zusammenfassung
Während eines Jahres, von 1985 auf 1986 wurden die wirtschaftlichen Folgen von Krankheiten bei Kindern, die in Helsinki in Kindertagesstätten betreut werden, ermittelt. Ende 1985 waren 14.882 Kinder in den städtischen Zentren betreut worden. Bezogen auf den Geldwert für das Jahr 1990 betrugen die insgesamt durch Krankheit bei den Kindern in Kindertagesstätten verursachten finanziellen Verluste 22.485.000 $ (1 US Dollar=3,80 Finmark). Fast die Hälfte (46%) der Kosten wurden durch Krankheiten verursacht, die bei Kindern unter drei Jahren auftraten, obwohl diese Altersgruppe nur 20% der in Tagesstätten betreuten Kinder ausmachte. Pro Betreuungsplatz betrugen die Kosten 3.535 $ bei den unter dreijährigen und 1.012 $ bei den älteren Kindern. Fehlen der Betreuer verursachte Kosten von 1.623 $, Ausfälle in der Nutzung der Tageszentren 1.254 $, Arztbesuche 169 $, Krankenhausbehandlung 221 $, bezahlte Betreuung zu Hause 219 $ und Antibiotiktherapie 12 $ pro genutzten Betreuungsplatz bei Kindern unter drei Jahren. Für die älteren Kinder lagen die entsprechenden Zahlen bei 541, 248, 95, 51, 73 und 4 $ pro Kind. Infektionen verursachten mehr als 90% der Krankheiten und der Kosten. Da die Kosten für Krankheit bei Kindern unter drei Jahren mehr als dreimal so hoch waren wie bei den älteren Kindern, sollte die Betreuung der jüngeren Kinder in der Familie oder durch Betreuer zu Hause bevorzugt werden und es sollten außerdem Anstrengungen unternommen werden, gesündere Verhältnisse in Kindertagesstätten für diese Kinder zu schaffen.
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Nurmi, T., Salminen, E. & Pönkä, A. Infections and other illnesses of children in day-care centers in Helsinki II: The economic losses. Infection 19, 331–335 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01645358
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01645358