Correlates of single morbidities and multimorbidity in children: A cross-sectional study

This study investigated and compared correlates of multimorbidity with other single morbidity statuses (physical illness only, mental disorder only, neurodevelopmental disorder only) among children in Canada. The epidemiological sample included 33,715 children aged 5-17 years from the Canadian Health Survey of Children and Youth. Classification of children by morbidity status was based on reports from the person most knowledgeable (PMK). Multinomial logistic regression quantified associations between demographic and psychosocial characteristics and morbidity status using odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Female (OR=0.5 [0.5-0.6]) and immigrant children (OR=0.6 [0.5-0.8]) were less likely to report multimorbidity, as well as singular morbidity statuses. Older children (OR=2.3 [2.1-2.6]) were more likely to report multimorbidity. Elevated parent stress (OR:2.1 [1.7-2.5]), worse parent mental health (OR=3.0 [2.4-3.7]), and communities perceived as less safe (OR:1.5 [1.2-2.0]) were associated with higher odds of multimorbidity. Differences in magnitudes of association across morbidity statuses for child age and sex, as well as PMK mental health, and stress levels represent opportunities to identify at-risk children to aid in the prevention of multimorbidity. Strong associations between parent stress and mental health and child morbidity highlight the need to adopt integrated health services that use a family-centred model of care.