Family Health among Families with Primary School Children during the COVID Pandemic in Thailand, 2022

Abstract

Despite evidence suggesting that the COVID pandemic has negatively affected the mental health and well-being of school aged children and parents, there are limited studies describing the state of family well-being. This study aimed to use the family health lens to assess the well-being of Thai families with primary school children and to identify its associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during January and March 2022, a period of school closure when onsite education was replaced by online education from time to time. The family health scale (FHS) questionnaire survey was carried out among 701 parents of Thai families with primary school children. The questionnaire comprised 10 questions regarding family belief, health, relationships, financial security, and housing environment. Independent variables included: (1) parental/household factors; (2) online learning related issues; (3) children’s mental health; and (4) parents’ health behaviors. Multinomial logistic regression was undertaken. Results showed that half of Thai families (54.6%) reported having moderate health status. Factors that were associated with lower levels of family health, such as poor or moderate levels, included families with a child that had mental health problems (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 5.0 [95% CI = 2.6–9.5] for poor v. excellent, and AOR = 2.7 [95% CI = 1.9–4.0] for moderate v. excellent), single parents (AOR = 2.5 [95% CI = 1.2–5.2] for poor v. excellent), a higher number (≥3) of children (AOR = 2.1 [95% CI = 1.0–4.0] for moderate v. excellent), and smoking parents (AOR = 6.5 [95% CI =1.2–34.8] for poor v. excellent). During health emergencies, health policy for providing adequate assistance to single parents, especially those that have a child with mental health problems, is of utmost importance. The design of health promotion activities and interventions should be targeted not only at single families, but also families with higher numbers of children and parents who smoke at home.