scholarly journals Factors associated with informal caregiving and its effects on health, work, and social activities of adult informal caregivers in Malaysia: findings from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuke-Lin Kong ◽  
Jailani Anis-Syakira ◽  
Suhana Jawahir ◽  
Yeung R’ong Tan ◽  
Noor Hasidah Ab Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Informal Care ◽  
National Health ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Informal Caregiving ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Health Work ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Factors Associated

Abstract Background The increase in the elderly population, chronic and degenerative diseases, as well as accidents at work and on the road in Malaysia would result in an increased demand for informal care. This paper aimed to determine the associated factors of informal caregiving and its effects on health, work and social activities of adult informal caregivers in Malaysia. Methods The data from the 2019 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS), a nationwide cross-sectional survey with a two-stage stratified random sampling design, was used in this research. The study included respondents who were 18 years and older (n = 11,674). Data were obtained via face-to-face interviews using validated questionnaires. Descriptive and complex sample logistic regression analyses were employed as appropriate. Results 5.7% of the adult population were informal caregivers. Provision of informal care were significantly associated with the female sex (OR = 1.52, 95% CI [1.21, 1.92]), those aged 36–59 years (OR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.15, 2.25]), and those who reported illness in the past 2 weeks (OR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.38, 2.33]). The risk of having their health affected were associated with female caregivers (OR = 3.63, 95% CI [1.73, 7.61]), those who received training (OR = 2.10, 95% CI [1.10, 4.00]) and those who provided care for 2 years or more (OR = 1.91, 95% CI [1.08, 3.37]). The factors associated with the effects on work were ethnicity, received training and had no assistance to provide the care. In terms of effect on social activities, female caregivers (OR = 1.96, 95% CI [1.04, 3.69]) and caregivers who received training were more likely (OR = 2.19, 95% CI [1.22, 3.93]) to have their social activities affected. Conclusion Our study revealed that sex, age, and self-reported illness were factors associated with being an informal caregiver in Malaysia. Informal caregivers faced effects on their health, work, and social activities which may be detrimental to their well-being. This understanding is crucial for planning support for caregivers.

scholarly journals Cost analysis of informal care: estimates from a national cross-sectional survey in Sweden

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Ekman ◽  
Kevin McKee ◽  
Joana Vicente ◽  
Lennart Magnusson ◽  
Elizabeth Hanson
Keyword(s):  
Informal Care ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Indirect Costs ◽  
Direct Costs ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Direct And Indirect Costs

Abstract Background Over the past decades, informal care has increased in most OECD-countries. Informal care is costly to caregivers and to society in the form of lost income and direct costs of providing care. Existing evidence suggests that providing informal care affects caregivers’ overall health. However, estimates of the social costs of informal care based on national data on individuals are currently scarce. Objective This study contributes to the existing evidence on the costs of informal care by estimating the direct and indirect costs to caregivers using a purposive national household survey from Sweden. Methods Adopting a bottom-up, prevalence approach, the direct and indirect costs are estimated using the survey data and the value of working time and leisure time from existing sources. Results The results suggest that around 15% of the adult population of Sweden provide informal care and that such care costs around SEK 152 billion per year (around 3% of GDP; USD 16,3 billion; EUR 14,5 billion), or SEK 128000 per caregiver. Around 55% of costs are in the form of income loss to caregivers. The largest cost items are reduced work hours and direct costs of providing informal care. Replacing informal caregivers with professional care providers would be costly at around SEK 193,6 billion per year. Conclusions Findings indicate that, even in a country with a relatively generous welfare system, significant resources are allocated toward providing informal care. The costing analysis suggests that effective support initiatives to ease the burden of informal caregivers may be cost-effective.

scholarly journals Use of Folk Therapy in Taiwan: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey of Prevalence and Associated Factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Chuan Shih ◽  
Lu-Hsiang Huang ◽  
Hsin-Long Lane ◽  
Chin-Chuan Tsai ◽  
Jaung-Geng Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
National Health ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Medical Utilization ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Research Database ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Factors Associated

Background. This study investigates the prevalence of and factors associated with users of folk therapy in Taiwan.Methods. Using data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey and the National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 16,750 adults aged 20 years and older. Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, medical utilization, and health behaviors were compared between people using and not using folk therapy. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of factors associated with folk therapy were analyzed.Results. The one-month prevalence of folk therapy use was 6.8%, which was significantly associated with ages of 30–59 years (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.49–2.63), women (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.40–1.90), nonindigenous population (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.14–3.17), having two or more unhealthy lifestyle habits (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.26–1.81), high density of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.20–1.62), and being ill without receiving medical care in past six months (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.76–2.53). Medical care utilization of TCM and Western medicine were also associated factors for folk therapy.Conclusions. The use of folk therapy is correlated with sociodemographics, lifestyle and health behaviors.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome among Brazilian Adult Population: National Health Survey - 2013

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elyssia Karine Nunes Mendonça Ramires ◽  
Risia Cristina Egito de Menezes ◽  
Giovana Longo-Silva ◽  
Taíse Gama dos Santos ◽  
Patrícia de Menezes Marinho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
National Health ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
National Health Survey ◽  
Factors Associated

scholarly journals Is providing informal care risky? A mental health perspective in a Belgian population-based sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Gérain ◽  
E Zech
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Informal Care ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Informal Caregiving ◽  
Population Based ◽  
National Health Survey ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Belgian Population

Abstract Background Informal caregiving refers to providing unpaid assistance to a relative or friend who has a disease or a disability. The assumption that providing informal care leads to deleterious health outcomes is widespread and commonly accepted. However, several comments have been made about the need to question this belief. Methods To put this assumption to test, the Belgian National Health Survey from 2013 was used. In this nationwide sample, the association between informal care and mental health was investigated through the GHQ-12 and the SCL (depression, anxiety, and sleep subscales). Three complementary comparison were performed: (1) between informal caregivers and non-caregivers; (2) between informal caregivers at home, outside of home, and non-caregivers; (3) between informal caregivers providing care for more than 20 hours a week, those providing between 1 and 20 hours a week, and non-caregivers. Statistically significant differences were controlled afterwards for gender, age, and perceived quality of social support. Results Overall, the results show that, with a population-based point of view, informal caregivers are not particularly at risk. Few comparisons were statically different, and when they were, the effect sizes remained low. Conclusions Far from settling this debate, these results rather suggest that the key point might lie elsewhere, as informal caregivers represents a diverse population in itself. Therefore, the focus should probably not be on the sole investigation of the differences between informal caregivers and the general population, but rather on how and why some caregivers differ from other caregivers and how such difference can represent a risk for them. Key messages Informal caregiving is often seen as a risk factor for mental health, but our results point to non-significant and little differences. By questioning this assumption, we call for a better understanding of what could be at risk in informal care.

scholarly journals Emotional health concerns of oncology physicians in the United States: fallout during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Thomaier ◽  
Deanna Teoh ◽  
Patricia Jewett ◽  
Heather Beckwith ◽  
Helen Parsons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated

AbstractIntroductionCancer care is significantly impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on the emotional well-being of oncology providers across the United States and explore factors associated with anxiety and depression symptoms.Methods and MaterialsA cross-sectional survey was administered to United States cancer-care physicians recruited over a two-week period (3/27/2020 – 4/10/2020) using snowball-convenience sampling through social media. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4).ResultsOf 486 participants, 374 (77.0%) completed the PHQ-4: mean age 45.7±9.6 years; 63.2% female; all oncologic specialties were represented. The rates of anxiety and depression symptoms were 62.0% and 23.5%, respectively. Demographic factors associated with anxiety included female sex, younger age, and less time in clinical practice. Perception of inadequate PPE (68.6% vs. 57.4%, p=0.03) and practicing in a state with more COVID-19 cases (65.8% vs. 51.1%, p=0.01) were associated with anxiety symptoms. Factors significantly associated with both anxiety and depression included: degree to which COVID-19 has interfered with the ability to provide treatment to cancer patients and concern that patients will not receive the level of care needed for non-COVID-19 illness (all p-values <0.01).ConclusionThe prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms among oncology physicians in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic is high. Our findings highlight factors associated with and sources of psychological distress to be addressed to protect the well-being of oncology physicians.

scholarly journals The impacts of caregiving intensity on informal caregivers in Malaysia: findings from a national survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Suhana Jawahir ◽  
Ee Hong Tan ◽  
Yeung R’ong Tan ◽  
Sarah Nurain Mohd Noh ◽  
Iqbal Ab Rahim
Keyword(s):  
Informal Care ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Low Intensity

Abstract Background Provision of informal care may adversely affect health, daily and social activities of the informal caregivers, but few studies have examined these effects in relation to caregiving intensity. This study examined the predictive factors associated with the effects of caregiving roles on health, daily and social activities of informal caregivers, accounting for caregiving intensity. Methods Data of adults aged 18 years and over from the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 were used. Respondent’s demographic, socioeconomic, health, and caregiving-related characteristics were described using complex samples analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors affecting health, daily and social activities of caregivers, accounting for caregiving intensity. Results Five point one percent of adults in Malaysia provided informal care. High intensity caregivers were more likely to be actively employed and provided longer duration of care compared with low intensity caregivers. For low intensity caregiving, females, those aged 35–59 years, and those with long-term condition were more likely to have negative effects on health. Daily activities of non-Malays were more likely to be affected, while no factor was found significantly associated with effect on social activities. For high intensity caregiving, caregivers aged 60 and over, those received training and those without assistance were more likely to have negative effects on health. Daily activities of those without assistance were more likely to be affected. Social activities of non-Malays, those received training and those providing care for 2 years or more were more likely to be affected. Conclusions Our study indicates that both low- and high-intensity caregivers have common features, with the exception of employment status and care duration. Caregiving, regardless of intensity, has a significant impact on caregivers. In order to reduce the negative consequences of caregiving responsibilities, all caregivers need assistance from the community and government, that is customised to their needs. By addressing the factors contributing to the negative effects of caregiving, a continuation of informal caregiving can be sustained through policies supporting the growing demand for informal care necessitated by an ageing population and higher life expectancy in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Willingness and preparedness to provide care: interviews with individuals of different ages and with different caregiving experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea de Jong ◽  
Jona Theodor Stahmeyer ◽  
Sveja Eberhard ◽  
Jan Zeidler ◽  
Kathrin Damm
Keyword(s):  
Informal Care ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Informal Caregiving ◽  
Close Relative ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Mental Strain ◽  
Term Care ◽  
The Impact ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background At present, the provision of informal care to older relatives is an essential pillar of the long-term care system in Germany. However, the impact of demographic and social changes on informal caregiving remains unclear. Methods Thirty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with care consultants, informal caregivers and people without any caregiving experience to explore if people are willing to provide older adult care and how prepared these are with regard to the possibility of becoming care dependent themselves. Results In total, three main categories (willingness to provide care, willingness to receive care and information as preparation) with several sub-categories were identified during the content analysis. While almost all interviewees were willing to provide care for close family members, most were hesitant to receive informal care. Other factors such as the available housing space, flexible working hours and the proximity of relatives were essential indicators of a person’s preparedness to provide informal care. It is, however, unclear if care preferences change over time and generations. Six out of 12 informal caregivers and nine out of 14 care consultants also reported an information gap. Because they do not possess adequate information, informal caregivers do not seek help until it is too late and they experience high physical and mental strain. Despite the increased efforts of care consultants in recent years, trying to inform caregivers earlier was seen as almost impossible. Conclusions The very negative perception of caregiving as a burden was a reoccurring theme throughout all interviews and influenced people’s willingness to receive care as well as seeking timely information. Despite recent political efforts to strengthen home-based care in Germany, it remains unclear whether political efforts will be effective in changing individuals’ perceptions of informal caregiving and their willingness to be better prepared for the highly likely scenario of having to care for a close relative or becoming care dependent at a later stage in life.

Firearm ownership and acquisition in California: findings from the 2018 California Safety and Well-being Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 516-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Kravitz-Wirtz ◽  
Rocco Pallin ◽  
Matthew Miller ◽  
Deborah Azrael ◽  
Garen J Wintemute
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Violence Prevention ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Firearm Violence ◽  
Sectional Analysis

ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence of and factors associated with firearm ownership; the types, subtypes and quantity of firearms owned; and when, where and why firearms were acquired in California.MethodsA cross-sectional analysis of a state-representative, probability-based, internet survey of California adults was conducted in September–October 2018 (n=2558; completion rate 49%). Household firearm ownership was ascertained for all respondents; personal firearm ownership was ascertained only among respondents who reported living in a home with firearms; and information on the types and quantity of firearms owned and details about recently acquired firearms came from firearm owners only.FindingsRoughly one in four (25%, 95% CI 22% to 28%) California adults live in a home with a firearm, including 4.2 million adults—14% (95% CI 13% to 16%) of the adult population—who personally own a firearm. These owners collectively own an estimated 19.9 million firearms (8.9 million handguns). Approximately half (48%, 95% CI 34% to 61%) of the firearm stock in California is owned by the 10% (95% CI 6% to 14%) of owners who own 10 or more firearms, though more than half (54%, 95% CI 47% to 62%) of owners in the state own only one or two firearms. Most (69%, 95% CI 63% to 75%) owners purchased their last firearm from a firearm retailer, usually a handgun purchased primarily for protection against people.ConclusionThis study provides the most detailed and up-to-date information available on firearm ownership and acquisition in California. Results can inform firearm violence prevention efforts and public health, safety and policy development in California and nationally.

scholarly journals Burden and quality of life of informal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy

Rev Rene ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. e61752
Author(s):  
Abigail Oluwadunni Davis ◽  
Oladapo Michael Olagbegi ◽  
Kayode Orekoya ◽  
Mathew Adekunle ◽  
Olufemi Oyeleye Oyewole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Strain Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy

Objective: to analyze the caregiver burden and the quality of life of informal caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: the cross-sectional survey involved 109 caregivers of children with cerebral palsy recruited from physiotherapy clinic at a tertiary hospital. The quality of life and caregiver burden were assessed using the Personal Wellbeing Index Scale and the Modified Caregivers’ Strain Index, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: the mean strain index and quality of life scores of the participants were 11.85 ± 5.72 and 64.68 ± 8.03 respectively. The majority (67.9%) of the caregivers had fair personal well-being, while about one-third (33.0%) had high caregiver’s strain. Child’s age (B=2.454; p<0.005) and caregivers’ occupation (B= -2.547; p=0.001) were predictors of caregiver strain. Conclusion: caring for children with cerebral palsy imposed a substantial burden on the caregivers and child’s age and caregivers’ occupation were predictor variables.

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