Social pediatrics: scientometric analysis

Aim. To identify trends of further development, priorities, challenges and vectors of further research in social pediatrics. Methods. Interpretive content analysis of dissertations in the field of public health and healthcare for the period from 1991 to 2012 was performed. 4194 items were analyzed. Results. At the first stage of the research, it was found that 14.8% of public health dissertations presented during the research period addressed pediatric problems. The next stage included qualitative and quantitative analysis of top-priority topics of social pediatrics in public health dissertations. The analysis of social pediatrics areas included the following categories: (1) studies of social (psychosocial) determinants of children’s health; (2) studies of health condition of children and adolescents in a stressful situation; (3) organization of medical and social aid to children. Studies of social (psychosocial) determinants of children’s health were the most common (35.9 %). Studies of health status of vulnerable children and adolescents had a share of 15% of all studies. 7.6% of studies were devoted to pediatric medical and social aid organization. Conclusion. It is important to facilitate the research in social pediatrics to optimize the scientific data and improve pediatric medical and social aid.

content analysis, scientometric analysis, social pediatrics, social determinants of children’s health, vulnerable children, medical and social aid