Health trends among preschool and school-age children in Kazan between 2018 and 2022: a population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The preservation and promotion of children’s health remain pivotal aspects of the Russian healthcare.

AIM: The study aimed to identify prevalent health patterns among preschool and school-age children in the Novo-Savinovsky district of Kazan between 2018 and 2022.

METHODS: The analysis included screening reports from 32 preschool education and care facilities and 20 schools in the Novo-Savinovsky district of Kazan. The reports were provided by medical professionals from the regional child health center and detailed laboratory tests and clinical investigations covering the years 2018 through 2022. In 2018 and 2022, the number of preschool-age children (3–7 years old) examined was 7257 and 6362, respectively. The health status of grade 1–11 students was assessed by analyzing medical statistical data collected between 2018 and 2022. A total of 14,917 and 18,141 schoolchildren were examined in 2018 and 2022, respectively. The population included adolescents aged 15–17 years (2775 and 3841, respectively). A comprehensive health assessment included the distribution of health groups and allocation to special medical groups, physical development, and primary and overall incidence (per 1000 age-matched children). The statistical analysis was performed using StatTech software, with the Mann–Whitney U test used for quantitative variables and the χ2 test used for qualitative variables, with a significance level of p = 0.05.

RESULTS: The study period showed a decrease in the proportion of healthy children (p = 0.04) and an increase in the number of preschool children with structural and functional impairments (p = 0.001). The overall incidence demonstrated a 24.3% increase. The most significant increase was observed for respiratory, musculoskeletal, visual, gastrointestinal, and neurological, genitourinary, psychiatric, and behavioral disorders (p = 0.001). Schoolchildren demonstrated a decrease in the proportion of healthy individuals and an increase in the number of children with structural and functional impairments (p = 0.001). The overall incidence decreased by 24.7% (p = 0.001), yet the prevalence of psychiatric disorders (p = 0.03), congenital anomalies, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities increased (p = 0.0011). The study found a significant increase in school-related diseases throughout the years of school (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Between 2018 and 2022, a decline in the overall health of preschool and school-age children in the Novo-Savinovsky district of Kazan was observed, as indicated by a decrease in the proportion of healthy children, an increase in the incidence of structural and functional impairments, and a higher prevalence of school-related diseases.