How are families in Germany doing in 2022? Study protocol of a nationally representative, cross-sectional study of parents with children aged 0–3 years

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285723
• Publication Date: 2023-05-12T17:27:38Z
• Authors: Anna Neumann; Susanne M. Ulrich; Frank Sinß; Digo Chakraverty; Maria Hänelt; Ulrike Lux; Sarah Ghezih; Johanna Löchner; Ilona Renner
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study

Background In order for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) to be effective, data-based information on families’ resources, burden and current use of support services families with young children, as well children’s health development is needed. The study Kinder in Deutschland [Children Germany]– KiD 0–3 2022 aims at providing these data help us understand situation needs Germany now, including experience the COVID-19 pandemic. Method will recruit up 300 pediatricians who invite parents children aged 48 months participate during a well-child visit. Parents (goal N = 8,000) complete an online-questionnaire their own web-enabled device. Pediatricians short questionnaire about each participating family. questionnaires cover family psychosocial child development, services, experiences Data analyzed assess patterns families´ burdens children´s development. Concordance between parent pediatrician report assessed comparisons predecessor 2015 drawn. Dissemination Findings disseminated through scientific conferences, open access peer-reviewed journals, dissemination channels National Centre Prevention. Discussion present provide reports how are doing Germany. These used inform Germany’s early childhood intervention program (“Frühe Hilfen”) children.