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Gaspar T, Raimundo M, de Sousa SB, Barata M, Cabrita T. Relationship between Burden, Quality of Life and Difficulties of Informal Primary Caregivers in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of the Contributions of Public Policies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5205. [PMID: 36982114 PMCID: PMC10048817 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed to characterize and understand the difficulties experienced by informal caregivers from a bio-psychosocial and environmental perspective, taking into account the socio-demographic and health characteristics of the informal caregiver and the person cared for, quality of life, perceived burden, social support, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the informal caregiver and the person cared for. The participants were 371 informal primary caregivers, 80.9% female, aged between 25 and 85 years, mean 53.17 (SD = 11.45) years. Only 16.4% of the informal caregivers benefited from monitoring and training for informal caregiver skills; 34.8% received information on the rights of the person being cared for; 7.8% received advice or guidance on the rights and duties of the informal caregiver; 11.9% of the caregivers benefited from psychological support; and 5.7% participated in self-help groups. A convenience sample was used, and data were collected via an online questionnaire. The main findings show that the major difficulties experienced by caregivers are related to social constraints, the demands of caring, and the reactions of the person cared for. The results reveal that the burden of the main informal caregivers is explained by the level of education, quality of life, level of dependence of the person cared for, level of difficulties, and social support. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted caregiving by increasing the perceived difficulty of accessing support services, such as consultations, services, and support; causing distress feelings in the caregiver, such as, anxiety and worry; increasing the needs and symptoms of the person cared for; and increasing the degree of isolation, for both, the informal caregiver and the person cared for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Gaspar
- SPIC, Hei-Lab, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
- ISAMB, Medicine Faculty, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Raimundo
- SPIC, Psychology and Life Sciences School, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
- Aventura Social Associação, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sofia Borges de Sousa
- SPIC, Psychology and Life Sciences School, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
- Aventura Social Associação, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Barata
- SPIC, Psychology and Life Sciences School, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
- Aventura Social Associação, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tulia Cabrita
- CLISSIS, Psychology Institute, Lusiada University, 1349-001 Lisbon, Portugal
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Kong YL, Anis-Syakira J, Jawahir S, R'ong Tan Y, Rahman NHA, Tan EH. 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. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1033. [PMID: 34074275 PMCID: PMC8170800 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11022-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuke-Lin Kong
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Block B2, NIH Complex, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Section U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Jailani Anis-Syakira
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Block B2, NIH Complex, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Section U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Suhana Jawahir
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Block B2, NIH Complex, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Section U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yeung R'ong Tan
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Block B2, NIH Complex, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Section U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Noor Hasidah Ab Rahman
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Block B2, NIH Complex, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Section U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ee Hong Tan
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Block B2, NIH Complex, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Section U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
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Jawahir S, Tan EH, Tan YR, Mohd Noh SN, Ab Rahim I. The impacts of caregiving intensity on informal caregivers in Malaysia: findings from a national survey. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:391. [PMID: 33906646 PMCID: PMC8077883 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06412-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suhana Jawahir
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Blok B2, Kompleks NIH, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Ee Hong Tan
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Blok B2, Kompleks NIH, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yeung R'ong Tan
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Blok B2, Kompleks NIH, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sarah Nurain Mohd Noh
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Blok B2, Kompleks NIH, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Iqbal Ab Rahim
- Institute for Health Systems Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Blok B2, Kompleks NIH, No. 1, Jalan Setia Murni U13/52, Seksyen U13 Setia Alam, 40170, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
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