Health disparities: Carnival and migrant worker children

This descriptive exploratory study evaluated health status indicators in children of itinerant carnival and migrant farmworkers, aged birth to 12 years. Health status outcomes (immunization records, well-child examinations (WCE), dental health status, growth parameters, and health-related quality of life measured by the PedsQL(TM)4.0) were compared between the two groups and to national averages to identify health disparities.;150 children were recruited, (65 carnival, 85 migrant farmworker) including siblings. One index child per family (n = 97) was used in data analysis.;Children who presented with complete immunization records showed a significant difference (carnival < migrant). Adherence to immunization schedule was met by 93% of carnival children, 90% of migrant children. Children had a significant difference in regularly scheduled WCE (carnival < migrant).;Itinerant children had significantly worse oral health indicators than NHANES 2002. Significant differences were found among groups in dental health in 2 to 5 year olds: decayed filled teeth (carnival < migrant) and filled teeth (carnival < migrant). Ages 6 to 11 were comparable to NHANES and each other.;Twice as many itinerant children were overweight than NHANES; twice as many migrant children were overweight than carnival children. There was a significant difference in overweight infants and toddlers (carnival 5x > migrant).;Itinerant sample PedsQL(TM)4.0 scores were less than but comparable to geographically stable published literature. There was a significant difference in parent-proxy physical and school subscales (geographically stable > itinerant). Carnival and migrant scores were similar. There was significant difference only in parent-proxy subscales, social (carnival > migrant) and school (carnival < migrant).;Both samples had highly commendable rates of recommended childhood immunizations and were not a problem for these families. However validation of carnival children's immunizations was limited due to lack of records. Overweight was a major health concern for both groups. Both groups' dental health was worse than national values, but HRQOL was not different than published values.;Data gathered show that migrant families have been successful in locating and securing access to health care and have made it a priority for their young children. Carnival children show evidence of difficulty accessing WCE and dental care.