El estudio de las desigualdades sociales en la salud infantil y adolescente en España

Objective: To identify and describe studies on social inequalities in child and adolescent health conductedin Spain with special emphasis on social determinants. Methods: In July 2012, we conducted a systematic review in the PubMed, MEDES, SCOPUS and COCHRANEdatabases. We included studies on social inequalities in child and adolescent health in Spain publishedbetween 2000 and 2012. A total of 2147 abstracts were reviewed by two researchers and 80 manuscriptswere fully reviewed by three researchers. Risk of bias was assessed. Seventy-two articles were finallyincluded. Results: A total of 83% of the studies were cross-sectional and the most frequently studied age groupconsisted of 13-15-year-olds. More than 20 individual or group determinants were identified. The mostfrequently analyzed determinants were the most advantaged educational level and occupation of themother or the father. In 38% of the studies analyzing education and occupation, there was no definitionof the determinant. Social inequalities were detected in dental health with all determinants and in all agegroups (9% of studies with a high risk of bias). Social inequalities were also detected in obesity, physicalactivity and mental health with some determinants. Specific data were missing for younger children. Nosocial inequalities were found in the use of health services, excluding dental care. Few studies analyzedimmigration and 42% of them had a high risk of bias.