Article
The current state of the Kita examination in the 4th year of life in Saxony – a mixed methods study
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Authors
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Charlyn Görres
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Alina Seibel
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Constanze Anders
- Department of Social Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, City of Leipzig Health Department, Leipzig, Germany
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Jon Genuneit
- Pediatric Epidemiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Claudia Korebrits
- Department of Social Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, City of Leipzig Health Department, Leipzig, Germany
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Birte Pantenburg
- Department of Social Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, City of Leipzig Health Department, Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Margrit Löbner
- Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| Published: | September 6, 2024 |
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Outline
Text
Introduction: The examination of children in the 4th year of life (Kita examination), offered by the pediatric and adolescent medical service in Saxony, plays an important role in the identification of support needs of children. The aim of the present study is an evaluation of the Kita examination in terms of challenges and current practice through quantitative and qualitative methods.
Methods: In this mixed methods study, a quantitative online survey with N = 56 physicians was conducted using the software LimeSurvey. The online survey consisted of 140 Items. The average time to answer all items was M = 32,49 minutes. In the qualitative part of the study, N = 13 telephone interviews were conducted with physicians (N = 5), parents (N = 4) and daycare professionals (N = 4) using semi-structured interview guidelines. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed (qualitative content analysis according to Mayring) using the software MAXQDA.
Results: The results of both the online survey and the interviews indicate that the Kita examination is appropriate for identifying developmental support needs prior to school entry. The majority of the participants attached great importance to the Kita examination, e.g. due to its low threshold, suitable examination instruments and the fact that it is carried out in the children’s natural environment. The vast majority of respondents indicated a desired presence of the daycare professional during the examination. There was also a need for more information about the Kita examination via analog or digital media (e.g. flyers).
Conclusion: The Kita examination makes an essential contribution regarding early intervention for children. It is therefore an important complementary and low-threshold offer in addition to the “U” examinations in the pediatrician's practices.
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
The authors declare that a positive ethics committee vote has been obtained.
