scholarly journals The Importance of Knowing the Basic First Aid Measures During Social Isolation of the Elderly

Author(s):  
Eva Dolenc ◽  
Damjan Slabe ◽  
Ivan Eržen ◽  
Uroš Kovačič

Abstract Background: The vulnerability of the elderly population increases with natural and other disasters. Consequent social isolation affects their health. Health problems, which can lead to emergencies, can be an even greater burden during times of social isolation. Early identification and action in terms of first aid for the most common emergencies that threaten an individual’s health or life affect these conditions. We aimed to examine the knowledge of first aid in the most common emergencies that threaten elderly people’s health and life among a Slovenian population, focusing on the elderly people’s knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted on 1079 respondents. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Statistically significant differences in average ratings among different age groups were determined with one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc test. Significant differences between the categories of age groups were determined using the χ2 square test followed by appropriate post hoc testing for multiple comparisons. By regression analysis (Spearman’s rho and Pearson Correlation), we determined the correlations. Results: Our survey results indicated that Slovenes are aware of the importance of first aid knowledge and feel personally responsible for acquiring and developing this knowledge. The most surprising finding of our research is the high level of knowledge of recognising some of the most common conditions that occur in old age and taking action in response to them. Simultaneously, most of the knowledge tested does not depend on the person’s age or the time since that person was last educated in first aid. Nevertheless, out of all age groups, those older than 80 stand out. The respondents’ general opinion is that the elderly over 80 years of age need less first aid knowledge. Furthermore, their first aid knowledge is also somewhat worse, especially when recognising sudden illness. Conclusions: Older than 80 are the most vulnerable psycho physically and socially, especially in natural and other disasters such as a pandemic. In the same time, their disaster preparedness from a first aid perspective is poor. There is a need to raise awareness and provide guidance on emergency preparedness to older people.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Nie ◽  
Greg Williams ◽  
Arpana Verma ◽  
Yongkai Zhu ◽  
Hua Fu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Frailty is often described as a condition of the elderly but affects all age groups, alcohol consumption is associated with frailty. The aim of this study is to examine the associations between alcohol consumption pattern (ACP) and frailty in three cities in adults. . Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities in China from June 2017 to October 2018. In total, 20,716 residents aged ≥18 years old were selected by using a multi-level stage sampling procedure. Alcohol consumption pattern was assessed by CAGE four-item questionnaire. Frailty was measured by a validated Chinese version of the FRAIL scale. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine the association of ACP with pre-frailty and frailty after controlling for varied covariates. Results: In general, the prevalence of pre-frailty and frailty was 35.25% and 11.42%, respectively. After controlling for covariates and interaction of age and ACP, non-problematic drinkers neither had association with pre-frailty(OR: 1.13, 95%CI:0.97-1.31) nor with frailty(OR:0.86,95%CI:0.68-1.12), while problematic drinkers had high odd ratios of pre-frailty(OR: 1.35, 95%CI:1.06-1.72) and frailty(OR:1.52, 95%CI:1.02-2.26) compared with non-drinker. Conclusions: our study found a positive association between problematic drinking and (pre-) frailty, no relationship between non-problematic drinking and (pre-) frailty compared with non-drinking among whole Chinese population. Based on previous findings and ours, we conclude it is important for the prevention of frailty to advocate zero drinking among whole population. Keywords: alcohol consumption, frailty, life course


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-296
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Hosseini ◽  
◽  
Saeid Mehri ◽  
Masoud Fallahi-Khoshknab ◽  
Farahnaz Mohammadi-Shahbelaghi ◽  
...  

Background: As the number of elderly people referred to hospitals increases, so does the number of discrimination reports in the care of the elderly, compared with younger people. This study aimed to investigate the status of ageism in caring for elderly patients from nurses’ perspective. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that was conducted in three selected hospitals of Ardabil province, Iran, in 2019. A total of 482 nurses were recruited by convenience sampling. The data were collected using a demographics questionnaire and the Ageism Scale in Hospital Care and analyzed using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (the Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffe post hoc test) in SPSS V. 20. Results: The mean age of the participants was 33 years. Most nurses showed moderate ageism when providing care to older adults. The level of ageism was significantly associated with age (P=0.002), gender (P=0.001), work experience (P=0.032), and the ward in which the nurses worked (P=0.001) Conclusion: The findings revealed that the study hospitals suffered ageism. Also, the level of ageism was associated with the age, gender, admission ward, and work experience of the nurses. Thus, it is suggested to consider appropriate interventions to prevent ageism, when designing and planning care for older adults.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heide Glaesmer ◽  
Gesine Grande ◽  
Elmar Braehler ◽  
Marcus Roth

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is the most commonly used measure for life satisfaction. Although there are numerous studies confirming factorial validity, most studies on dimensionality are based on small samples. A controversial debate continues on the factorial invariance across different subgroups. The present study aimed to test psychometric properties, factorial structure, factorial invariance across age and gender, and to deliver population-based norms for the German general population from a large cross-sectional sample of 2519 subjects. Confirmatory factor analyses supported that the scale is one-factorial, even though indications of inhomogeneity of the scale have been detected. Both findings show invariance across the seven age groups and both genders. As indicators of the convergent validity, a positive correlation with social support and negative correlation with depressiveness was shown. Population-based norms are provided to support the application in the context of individual diagnostics.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e041755
Author(s):  
Srinivas Marmamula ◽  
Satya Brahmanandam Modepalli ◽  
Thirupathi Reddy Kumbham ◽  
Rajesh Challa ◽  
Jill E Keeffe

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of disabilities (vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care and communication) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the elderly population in two districts in Telangana, India.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study using a cluster random sampling method to select the study clusters.SettingElderly population in Khammam and Warangal districts were recruited. Detailed interviews were conducted by trained community health workers. Personal and demographic information such as age, gender, level of education and a self-report of NCDs was collected. The Washington Disability Questionnaire was administered to assess the presence of disabilities.Participants1821 participants aged ≥60 years, 54.5% were women, and 73.3% had no education.Primary outcome measurePrevalence of disabilities and NCDs.ResultsOverall, the prevalence of at least disability was 20.3% (95% CI 16.3 to 24.9). The prevalence of self- reported disabilities were: seeing (5.9%; 95% CI 4.4 to 7.8), mobility (12.8%; 95% CI 9.7 to 16.8), hearing (3.6%; 95% CI 2.7 to 4.8), cognition (4.8%; 95% CI 3.5 to 6.7), self-care (3.3%; 95% CI 2.3 to 4.7) and communication (1.8%; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.6). Overall, the prevalence of at least one NCD was 34.2% (95% CI 30.9 to 37.7). Hypertension was the most common systemic condition (25.4%; 95% CI 22.4 to 28.7), followed by diabetes (9.0%; 95% CI 7.3 to 11.0), and body pains (muscle-skeletal) (9.9%; 95% CI 8.1 to 12.2).ConclusionEvery fifth elderly person in the districts of Khammam and Warangal in Telangana had at least one self-reported disability. Besides, a third of the elderly had at least one NCD. There is a definite need to develop comprehensive public health strategies to address disabilities and NCDs in Telangana.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e048554
Author(s):  
Hanyu Wang ◽  
Eric Frasco ◽  
Jie Shang ◽  
Minne Chen ◽  
Tong Xin ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThis study aims to explore the association between maternal depression and the loss of the only child under the family-planning (FP) policy.DesignCross-sectional data from a Chinese population-based study were analysed.SettingPopulation from 10 (5 rural and 5 urban) areas in China.ParticipantsAround 300 000 females were included in the study. The FP group was defined as women with one or two live births. Those with no surviving child were classified into the loss-of-only-child group. The non-FP group included women who had more than two live births. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between major depressive disorder (MDD) and family types, after stratification and adjustment.OutcomeMDD was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Inventory.ResultsThe odds of MDD are 1.42 times higher in the FP group in general (OR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.28 to 1.57), as opposed to the non-FP group. In particular, the odds of MDD are 1.36 times greater in the non-loss-of-only-child group (OR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.51) and 2.80 (OR=2.80, 95% CI: 0.88 to 8.94) times greater in the loss-of-only-child group, compared with the non-FP group. The associations between FP groups and MDD appeared to be stronger in the elderly population, in those who were married, less educated and those with a higher household income. The association was found progressively stronger in those who lost their only child.ConclusionsPeople in the FP group, especially those who lost their only child, are more susceptible to MDD than their counterparts in the non-FP group. Mental health programmes should give special care to those who lost their only child and take existing social policies and norms, such as FP policies, into consideration.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Telma de Almeida Busch ◽  
Yeda Aparecida Duarte ◽  
Daniella Pires Nunes ◽  
Maria Lucia Lebrão ◽  
Michel Satya Naslavsky ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 705-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iara Guimarães Rodrigues ◽  
Gustavo Pereira Fraga ◽  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to identify factors associated with the occurrence of falls among elderly adults in a population-based study (ISACamp 2008). Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with two-stage cluster sampling. The sample was composed of 1,520 elderly adults living in the urban area of the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. The occurrence of falls was analyzed based on reports of the main accident occurred in the previous 12 months. Data on socioeconomic/demographic factors and adverse health conditions were tested for possible associations with the outcome. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated and adjusted for gender and age using the Poisson multiple regression analysis. Results: Falls were more frequent, after adjustment for gender and age, among female elderly participants (PR = 2.39; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.47 - 3.87), elderly adults (80 years old and older) (PR = 2.50; 95%CI 1.61 - 3.88), widowed (PR = 1.74; 95%CI 1.04 - 2.89) and among elderly adults who had rheumatism/arthritis/arthrosis (PR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.00 - 2.48), osteoporosis (PR = 1.71; 95%CI 1.18 - 2.49), asthma/bronchitis/emphysema (PR = 1,73; 95%CI 1.09 - 2.74), headache (PR = 1.59; 95%CI 1.07 - 2.38), mental common disorder (PR = 1.72; 95%CI 1.12 - 2.64), dizziness (PR = 2.82; 95%CI 1.98 - 4.02), insomnia (PR = 1.75; 95%CI 1.16 - 2.65), use of multiple medications (five or more) (PR = 2.50; 95%CI 1.12 - 5.56) and use of cane/walker (PR = 2.16; 95%CI 1.19 - 3,93). Conclusion: The present study shows segments of the elderly population who are more prone to falls through the identification of factors associated with this outcome. The findings can contribute to the planning of public health policies and programs addressed to the prevention of falls.


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e017966 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Elizete A Araujo ◽  
Marcus T Silva ◽  
Tais F Galvao ◽  
Mauricio G Pereira

ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of healthcare use and associated factors in the Manaus metropolitan region and to describe the reasons for lack of access.DesignCross-sectional population-based study.SettingA survey conducted between May and August of 2015 in eight cities from Manaus metropolitan region, Amazonas, Brazil.Participants4001 adults ≥18 years of age.Primary outcomes measuresPhysician visits, dentist visits and hospitalisations in the last 12 months were the primary outcomes. Associated factors were investigated through the calculation of prevalence ratio (PR) obtained by hierarchical Poisson regression modelling.Results4001 adults were included in the study, 53% of whom were women. The self-reported prevalence of medical visits was 77% (95% CI 75% to 77%); dentist visits, 36% (95% CI 34% to 37%) and hospital admission, 7% (95% CI 6% to 7%). Physician visits were higher in women PR=1.18 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.23), the elderly PR=1.18 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.26) and people with health insurance PR=1.14 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.19). Dentist visits declined with older age PR=0.38 (95% CI 0.30 to 0.49), lower education level PR=0.62 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.74) and lower economic class PR=0.65 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.75). Hospitalisations were found to be twice as frequent for women than for men and three times as frequent among those who reported very poor health status. Among the individuals who did not receive medical attention in the previous 2 weeks, 58% reported lack of facilities or appointment unavailable and 14% reported lack of doctors.ConclusionWhile more than half visited the doctor in the last year, a lower proportion of people with socioeconomic inequities visited the dentist. Organisational and service policies are needed to increase equity in health services in the region.


Author(s):  
Zélia Pereira ◽  
Luís Cardoso ◽  
Ana Cláudia Coelho

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices related to disaster preparedness among pet owners in North Portugal. The present research provides an evaluation of differences among pet owners regarding preparedness in the event of disasters. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 155 pet owners between September and November 2018. Subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire with items addressing sociodemographic characteristics and questions related to owners’ emergency preparedness and practices. Results: In this study, 53.5% of the respondents thought about the possibility of a disaster. Only 21.3% of respondents reported having knowledge on the existence of a disaster kit for pets in case of an emergency. The majority (94.8%) of respondents said they were not aware of the preparedness county-level organization plans. Knowledge and preparedness were found to be significantly higher among dog owners compared with owners of other pet species. Conclusions: The results suggest that Portuguese pet owners have inadequate knowledge on how to prepare for inclusion of their pets in a disaster.


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