There is limited research exploring the age-related difference in communication when describing pain experiences. This project aimed to identify key differences between adolescents’, young adults’ and adults’ (i) preferred communication method, (ii) language content and (iii) lexical amount and variety when discussing their persistent pain experience using chatbot technology.

An exploratory concurrent nested mixed-methods design using a comparative analysis.

Participants were recruited through a convenience sampling strategy from two tertiary multidisciplinary pain centres in Australia.

20 adolescents, 20 young adults and 20 adults completed a pain history assessment using the Dolores application. The inclusion criteria for this study were (i) persistent non-cancer pain for at least 3 months, (ii) 10 years of age and over and (iii) adequate expressive and receptive language skills to complete the required tasks in English, as determined by clinicians in the treating team.

Drawn, voice and typed responses provided by participants during the chatbot interaction were analysed using content analysis. Fisher’s exact tests and ² tests were used to examine differences between age groups. Strong effect size estimates generated from comparative analyses suggested that adolescents were the most likely age group to utilise drawing (p=0.153, Cramer’s V=0.268), preferred typing over speaking (p==0.007, Cramer’s V=0.433). Young adults used the greatest number and variety of words in response to chatbot questions including evaluative language (p=0.097, Cramer’s V=0.296). Adults tended to use more metaphors (p=0.085, Cramer’s V=0.305) and had a strong preference for speaking over typing (p=

The results of this study provide insights into age-related differences in communication and preferences when using technology to communicate about persistent pain. Future research exploring individualised age-related approaches to pain assessment, supported by the findings of this study, in comparison to current standardised assessments administered by clinicians are warranted.

To determine the independent predictors of full immunisation coverage (FIC) among children aged 12–23 months along with the parental awareness and attitudes (of children aged ≤23 months) regarding routine childhood vaccinations in Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu, South India.

A community-based cross-sectional analysis.

Perambalur district situated in the central region of Tamil Nadu state, South India.

Parents of children aged ≤23 months.

The primary outcome measured was the FIC and FIC plus in the district along with the parental awareness and attitudes regarding routine childhood vaccinations. The independent predictors of FIC and FIC plus were determined using multivariable logistic regression models.

The study included 652 children, with a mean (±SD) age of 16.47 (±6.37) months and a male-to-female ratio of 60:40. The FIC and FIC plus of children aged 12–23 months were 91.3% (95% CI 88.64 to 93.33) and 79.7% (95% CI 76.15 to 82.80), respectively. The immunisation card retention was 97.9% among the parents of children aged 12–23 months. The independent predictors of FIC included below poverty line families (adjusted OR (AOR) 0.11; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.64), illiteracy among mothers (AOR 0.67; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.87), lack of immunisation card (AOR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.55), lack of frequent home visits by healthcare worker (AOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.79) and hesitancy of parents towards vaccination (AOR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.87).

This study revealed a high FIC in this specific district. However, achieving full coverage is influenced by factors like socioeconomic status, maternal education and parental attitudes. Understanding these factors is essential for improving immunisation rates and ensuring all children are protected.