Needs analysis of children and adolescents in terms of substance use and related risk behaviour in the context of the institutional network of services in Prague and the Central Bohemia Region
Abstract
Various institutions and agencies have repeatedly called for a good survey of the need for healthcare for children under 15 and adolescents aged 15-18 in Prague and in the catchment area of the region of Central Bohemia. This study was conducted in response to such a demand.
The main objective was to survey the need for specialised addiction-related healthcare for children and adolescents in Prague and Central Bohemia Region. Questionnaires were supplied to 241 facilities, 135 of which responded and completed the questionnaires.
First, sources such as the internet, Facebook, information databases, and Prague city district authorities' sources were used for the data collection phase (survey of institutions and services). The methods of a telephone interview and a poll questionnaire developed for the purposes of the study were used.
The final part involved institutional analysis and a simple outline of a policy to address the issue of the availability of specialised addictological care for children and adolescents. The data of the Institute of Health Information and Statistics show that a total of 592 children and adolescents under 19, with boys accounting for 55%, underwent detoxification from addictive substances in 2011.
It is more than 8% of the total number of detoxified patients. Almost one fifth (116 children and adolescents) underwent detoxification from alcohol, 42% (250) from stimulants other than cocaine, 16% (96) from multiple substances, and 14% (84) from cannabinoids.
There is a growing number of children admitted to resuscitation and intensive care wards for children. The survey showed that just in 2012 the responding facilities registered 2,583 substance-related cases.
The individual respondents all consistently indicated that they do not have access to specialised addiction-related outpatient healthcare. In Prague there currently appears to be no need for a further increase in the capacity of inpatient addiction-related healthcare.