How Did Employment and Financial Strain Affect the Self-rated Health of Lone Mothers Around the Time of the Economic Crisis? A Cross-sectional Comparison of the United Kingdom and Sweden

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 773-798
Author(s):  
Nina Kirk ◽  
Sara Fritzell ◽  
Bo Burström
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Lone Mothers ◽  
The Impact

Lone mothers face higher risk of poor self-rated health (SRH) than coupled mothers, partly explained by financial strain, non-employment, and welfare context. Comparing the United Kingdom and Sweden, we sought to determine how the economic crisis of 2008 affected the inequality in lone and coupled mothers SRH and what socioeconomic factors impacted this. Survey data was divided into periods corresponding to before, during, and after the economic crisis. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic factors. Financial strain explained 70%–80% of the excess risk for poor health among Swedish lone mothers and 40% of those in the United Kingdom. Controlling for background and socioeconomic factors eliminated the health inequality among Swedish mothers. In the United Kingdom this inequality remained and may reflect the impact of social mechanisms such as stigma. Converse to what was expected, we did not observe significant variation over time in factors affecting SRH, nor did we find conclusive evidence of the impact of the economic crisis on the SRH of lone mothers. Factors that may account for these counterintuitive results, including retrenchment of the Swedish welfare state, economic lag, and reduction in overall inequality in health, are discussed.

An exploration of the relationship between adverse events on the farm and suicidal ideation in farmers

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110577
Author(s):  
Laura Phalp ◽  
Rhiannon Corcoran ◽  
Catrin Eames ◽  
Aarun Naik
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
National Average ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The risk of suicide for agricultural workers in parts of the United Kingdom (UK) is almost twice the national average. Existing literature has suggested that adverse farming events, where failure is determined by uncontrollable and unpredictable forces, may be to blame. Yet, the impact of such events on farmer suicidality has not been explicitly explored. Aims: The present paper therefore aimed to investigate the relationship between adverse farming events and suicidal ideation in farmers. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire battery was disseminated between July 2018 and February 2019, and completed by 170 adult farmers. Results: Over a 12-month period, 88.8% reported that they had experienced an adverse farming event and 32.9% said that they had experienced suicidal thoughts. Correlational analysis revealed a relationship between these variables. Conclusions: The high prevalence of suicidal ideation within farmers demonstrates a critical need for intervention. Likewise, the prevalence of adverse farming events suggests that interventions need to be appropriately tailored, with greater understanding about the impact of such events on the mental wellbeing of farmers.

scholarly journals The impact of elderly social care in the United Kingdom: migrants’ perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osinachi Akanwa Ekeagwu ◽  
Stanley Idika Ukpai
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Impact

Due to the growing elderly population in the United Kingdom, there is increasing demand for formal carers. Research suggests that elderly care may be associated with adverse impacts, however not much is known about migrants who constitute a considerable proportion of formal carers. Given that migrants already face peculiar challenges related to cultural assimilation and social integration, it becomes necessary to investigate the impact of a burdensome yet well sought job among them. This study therefore aimed to investigate the impact (burden and benefit) of elderly social care among migrant carers. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used and data obtained through snowball sampling using web-based questionnaires. Majority of participants (51.6%) confirmed that the choice of the job was financially motivated, even though most (63.3%) experienced stress. Apparently, the perceived stress was related to frustrations stemming from their skills not being fully utilised, but unrelated to gender, prior experience and cultural background. Nevertheless, 66.7% remained happy to recommend their job to others. The inherent caregiver burden should be recognised and addressed by all parties involved including the carers, employers and policy makers. Although the avoidance of caregiver burden entirely may be impossible, there should be room for decreasing this impact and providing respite for those already affected.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Symptom Experience and Help-Seeking Behaviour in the United Kingdom: A Cross-Sectional Population Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harriet Quinn-Scoggins ◽  
Rebecca Cannings-John ◽  
Yvonne Moriarty ◽  
Victoria Whitelock ◽  
Katriina L. Whitaker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Population Survey ◽  
Symptom Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviour ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Poor self-rated health and associated factors among elderly urban residents

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joana Darc Chaves Cardoso ◽  
Rosemeiry Capriata de Souza Azevedo ◽  
Annelita Almeida Oliveira Reiners ◽  
Cecília Victorazzo Louzada ◽  
Mariano Martinez Espinosa
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Measure Of Association ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of bad self-rated health in the elderly and associated demographic and socioeconomic factors. This was an epidemiological, cross-sectional study. Data were collected through interviews using the BOAS (Brazil Old Age Schedule) questionnaire. The study included 573 elderly residents in the urban area of Cuiabá-MT, Brazil. The adopted measure of association was the prevalence ratio. For multivariate analysis, multiple Poisson regression was used. The prevalence of poor/very poor self-rated health was 30.9% and the associated factors were income, number of morbidities and urinary incontinence. The association of demographic and socioeconomic factors with poor/very poor self-rated health among the elderly in this study shows the need for assistance and policies that minimize the impact of these factors on the lives and health of the elderly.

scholarly journals Comparing Public Perceptions and Preventive Behaviors During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom: Cross-sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leigh Bowman ◽  
Kin On Kwok ◽  
Rozlyn Redd ◽  
Yuanyuan Yi ◽  
Helen Ward ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Given the public health responses to previous respiratory disease pandemics, and in the absence of treatments and vaccines, the mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic relies on population engagement in nonpharmaceutical interventions. This engagement is largely driven by risk perception, anxiety levels, and knowledge, as well as by historical exposure to disease outbreaks, government responses, and cultural factors. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to compare psychobehavioral responses in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Comparable cross-sectional surveys were administered to adults in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom during the early phase of the epidemic in each setting. Explanatory variables included demographics, risk perception, knowledge of COVID-19, anxiety level, and preventive behaviors. Responses were weighted according to census data. Logistic regression models, including effect modification to quantify setting differences, were used to assess the association between the explanatory variables and the adoption of social distancing measures. RESULTS Data from 3431 complete responses (Hong Kong, 1663; United Kingdom, 1768) were analyzed. Perceived severity of symptoms differed by setting, with weighted percentages of 96.8% for Hong Kong (1621/1663) and 19.9% for the United Kingdom (366/1768). A large proportion of respondents were abnormally or borderline anxious (Hong Kong: 1077/1603, 60.0%; United Kingdom: 812/1768, 46.5%) and regarded direct contact with infected individuals as the transmission route of COVID-19 (Hong Kong: 94.0%-98.5%; United Kingdom: 69.2%-93.5%; all percentages weighted), with Hong Kong identifying additional routes. Hong Kong reported high levels of adoption of various social distancing measures (Hong Kong: 32.6%-93.7%; United Kingdom: 17.6%-59.0%) and mask-wearing (Hong Kong: 98.8% (1647/1663); United Kingdom: 3.1% (53/1768)). The impact of perceived severity of symptoms and perceived ease of transmission of COVID-19 on the adoption of social distancing measures varied by setting. In Hong Kong, these factors had no impact, whereas in the United Kingdom, those who perceived their symptom severity as “high” were more likely to adopt social distancing (adjusted odds ratios [aORs] 1.58-3.01), and those who perceived transmission as “easy” were prone to adopt both general social distancing (aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.57-2.55) and contact avoidance (aOR 1.80, 95% CI 1.41-2.30). The impact of anxiety on adopting social distancing did not vary by setting. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that health officials should ascertain baseline levels of risk perception and knowledge in populations, as well as prior sensitization to infectious disease outbreaks, during the development of mitigation strategies. Risk should be communicated through suitable media channels—and trust should be maintained—while early intervention remains the cornerstone of effective outbreak response.

scholarly journals Singing Together, Yet Apart: The Experience of UK Choir Members and Facilitators During the Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Daffern ◽  
Kelly Balmer ◽  
Jude Brereton
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Embodied Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Virtual Models ◽  
Spoken Interaction ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Large Groups ◽  
Musical Elements

The Covid-19 induced United Kingdom-wide lockdown in 2020 saw choirs face a unique situation of trying to continue without being able to meet in-person. Live networked simultaneous music-making for large groups of singers is not possible, so other “virtual choir” activities were explored. A cross sectional online survey of 3948 choir members and facilitators from across the United Kingdom was conducted, with qualitative analysis of open text questions, to investigate which virtual choir solutions have been employed, how choir members and facilitators experience these in comparison to an “in-person” choir, and whether the limitations and opportunities of virtual choir solutions shed light on the value of the experience of group singing as a whole. Three virtual choir models were employed: Multi-track, whereby individuals record a solo which is mixed into a choral soundtrack; Live streamed, where individuals take part in sessions streamed live over social media; Live tele-conferencing, for spoken interaction and/or singing using tele-conferencing software. Six themes were identified in the open text responses: Participation Practicalities, encompassing reactions to logistics of virtual models; Choir Continuity, reflecting the responsibility felt to maintain choir activities somehow; Wellbeing, with lockdown highlighting to many the importance of in-person choirs to their sense of wellbeing; Social Aspects, reflecting a sense of community and social identity; Musical Elements, whereby the value of musical experience shifted with the virtual models; Co-creation through Singing, with an overwhelming sense of loss of the embodied experience of singing together in real-time, which is unattainable from existing virtual choir models. The experiences, activities and reflections of choir singers during lockdown present a unique perspective to understand what makes group singing a meaningful experience for many. Co-creation through Singing needs further investigation to understand the impact of its absence on virtual choirs being able re-create the benefits of in-person choirs.

Inequality and Inclusive Growth

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Grimshaw ◽  
Anthony Rafferty ◽  
Matt Whittaker
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Sharp Increase ◽  
Inclusive Growth ◽  
Price Inflation ◽  
Substantial Growth ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Household Incomes ◽  
The Impact

This chapter sets out how inequality and household incomes evolved in the United Kingdom in recent decades and the extent to which different periods saw very different outcomes in that regard. The very sharp increase in inequality seen in the early/mid-1980s was followed by broad stability, but still meant that inequality has been at a substantially higher level since then than through the preceding decades. Substantial growth in real incomes was seen over the period from the mid-1980s to the mid-2000s, though fluctuating within those years, but wages and household incomes flatlined in the years coming up to the economic Crisis and were significantly hit by it. Prospects for the future are even more concerning in light of recent price inflation, further cuts to working-age benefits in prospect, and the impact of Brexit.

Salmonella and Raw Shell Eggs: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study of Contamination Rates and Egg Safety Practices in the United Kingdom Catering Sector in 2003

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. ELSON ◽  
C. L. LITTLE ◽  
R. T. MITCHELL
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Salmonella Enteritidis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Contamination Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Shell Eggs ◽  
Phage Types ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Food Standards ◽  
The Impact

This study was prompted by epidemiological investigations of the unusual number of Salmonella Enteritidis outbreaks associated with the use of eggs in catering premises in England and Wales during 2002. The aims of the study, performed between April and May 2003, were to establish the rate of Salmonella contamination in raw shell eggs from catering premises, investigate any correlation between the origin and type of eggs and the presence of particular serotypes or phage types (PTs) of Salmonella, and examine the use of raw shell eggs in catering premises in the United Kingdom. A total of 34,116 eggs (5,686 pooled samples of six eggs) were collected from 2,104 catering premises, most of which were eggs produced in the United Kingdom (88%). Salmonella was isolated from 17 pools (0.3%) of eggs. Of these, 15 were Salmonella Enteritidis, which were further characterized to PTs as follows: PT6 (0.1%), PT4 (0.07%), PT12 (0.04%), PT1 (0.04%), and PT14b (0.02%). Salmonella Livingstone and Salmonella Typhimurium definitive type 7 resistant to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline were also isolated. The Salmonella contamination rate of eggs produced in the United Kingdom appears to have decreased significantly since 1995 and 1996. This trend is reflected in the decrease of Salmonella Enteritidis and, in particular, Salmonella Enteritidis PT4. The impact of the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency's advice on the use of eggs, issued in January 2003, is discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document