[The impact of caregiving on the emotional well-being and health of family caregivers.]

INTRODUCTION

Family caregivers, who take care of older relatives, bear a heavy burden that can detrimentally affect their physical health and emotional well-being.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to explore the subjective perceptions of family caregiving's impact on physical health and emotional well-being, the experience of feeling overburdened by caregiving responsibilities, and the subjective perceptions of health among caregivers of older relatives. Data from three waves of online questionnaire surveys conducted in 2018, 2020, and 2022 were analyzed.

METHOD

The COPE Index items were used to measure subjective perceptions of the impact of caregiving on physical health and emotional well-being and perceptions of being overburdened by caregiving. We present descriptive statistics and chi-square test analyses.

RESULTS

In all three waves, the majority of respondents frequently or always perceived a negative impact of caregiving on their emotional well-being and physical health, with more than half always or often experiencing caregiver overburdening. A significant correlation was observed between the perceived impact of caregiving on physical health and emotional well-being, over 70% of respondents provided similar responses to both questions. Furthermore, a significant relationship is between the prevalence of caregiver overburden and subjective perceptions of health, with those experiencing caregiver overload being more likely to report poor or very poor health. Over 60% of participants indicated frequent or constant overburden of care, with this subgroup exhibiting a higher likelihood of perceiving their health as poor or very poor.

DISCUSSION

Our results demonstrate that the caregiving burden affects both physical and emotional well-being. A significant proportion of family caregivers experience detrimental effects on their physical health and emotional well-being due to caregiving responsibilities. These negative effects were reported simultaneously by the majority of respondents.

CONCLUSION

Caregiving can have negative consequences on the health of family caregivers. Our research underscores the importance of preventive measures. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(40): 1583-1591.

[Working 40 years as medical doctors.]

The health status of health professionals, including medical doctors is an important topic, although it is an under-researched area in Hungary and in the East-Central European countries as well. Our quasi-cohort research was focused on the health status, morbidities, anthropometric parameters, lifestyle and professional career of Hungarian medical doctors who graduated in 1979, following them 25y, 30y and 40y after graduation, seeking differences between professional groups and genders. In 2019, the mean age of participants was 64.9y, the average number of children was 2.08, higher among surgical professionals (2.43). Men reported higher number of own children. The number of night shifts decreased during the past decades. Most of them is already retired, 70% is working besides receiving a pension. 27% changed their medical specialty, 36% intended to work in another field of medicine, when graduated. About 10% of them achieved scientific (PhD) degree, most of them were satisfied with own professional carrier. The body weight and BMI significantly increased during decades, without statistical difference between genders and professional groups. Diabetes was self reported in 7%, hypertension in 44%. Men neglected more frequently their regular health check-up. Compared to their patients at the same age, 71% rated their own health status better. Among those, who reported regular physical activities, the ratio of men was higher; the average time spent on sport was the same as in the past decades, although the ratio of persons who had regular physical activity decreased, fewer participated in team sport activities. Their sleeping habit is quiet, the time is 6.3 h between workdays and 7.7 h on weekends. Burn-out was not reported. The ratio of smokers decreased; the self-reported daily intake of alcoholic beverages was 1.3, the weekly 3.7 units. Differences described earlier between professional groups disappeared. The problems of the recent Hungarian health care system were similarly rated, although the income of Hungarian physicians has increased to a great extent in the past years. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(29): 1127-1133.

[Health status and cardiovascular risk of Roma and non-Roma population in underprivileged settlements]

INTRODUCTION

The "Taking the screening tests in place" program offers cardiovascular screening activities to the inhabitants of underprivileged settlements.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the health status and cardiovascular risk of the Roma and non-Roma population in underprivileged settlements.

METHOD

Information was collected about the demography, lifestyle, current illnesses, access to healthcare and the quality of patient information. General health check (body weight, height, blood pressure, blood sugar, ankle-brachial index) and cardiovascular examination were performed. Data were analyzed in Roma and non-Roma groups with Pearson's chi-squared test.

RESULTS

3649 people participated in the study (851 [23%] men, 2798 [77%] women), 16% (598) of the investigated population belonged to the Roma population. The mean age of men in the general population was 58 years and of women 55 years, in the Roma population 48 years and 47 years. People in the Roma population smoked more often (men 45%, women 64%) than people in the general population (both sexes 30%). In the Roma population, the consumption of sugary soft drinks at least four times a week (men 55% vs. women 43%) and the BMI (men 30 vs. 29, woman 29 vs. 28) were significantly higher. In the Roma population, 31% of the men and 13% of the women thought that their health status was bad, while in the general population it was 17% of men and 8% of women. Incidence of COPD (18% vs. 9%), coronary disease (18% vs. 13%), peripheral artery disease (13% vs. 9%) was significantly higher in the Roma population among women.

CONCLUSION

In the investigated population, the Roma inhabitants were significantly younger, smoked more, they were more obese, the chronic diseases were more common among them, and they considered their health status worse than the general population. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(20): 792-799.

Health-related productivity of the Hungarian population. A cross-sectional survey

INTRODUCTION

Health disorders may affect negatively work productivity of individuals, leading to absence from work (absenteeism) and/or decreased functioning in the workplace (presenteeism).

AIM

To assess the health-related work productivity of the adult population in Hungary by the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI).

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey was performed in 2019 involving a sample (n = 2023) representative for the adult population of Hungary. Socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Health-related productivity of the participants was assessed by the WPAI questionnaire, health status was measured by the EQ-5D-3L measurement tool and the Minimum European Health Module (MEHM).

STATISTICAL ANALYSES

Descriptive statistics were performed, subgroups were compared by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Spearman's rank correlation was applied to analyze the relationship between WPAI, age and EQ-5D-3L index score.

RESULTS

Among those in a paid job (n = 1194, 59%), altogether 70 respondents (6%) were absent from work during the week before the survey, which resulted in an average 1.9 (SD = 8.5) work hours loss per week. Presenteeism occurred in 166 (14%) cases. The average absenteeism was 3.6%, presenteeism was 4.4%, and activity impairment in the total sample was 9.5%. Absenteeism did not correlate with age and did not differ significantly across socio-demographic subgroups. Presenteeism was the highest among actively working retired people, disability pensioners and part-time employees. Presenteeism correlated moderately (r = -0.379), absenteeism weakly (r = -0.113) with EQ-5D-3L index. Correlation was significant between activity impairment and age (r = 0.412) as well as the EQ-5D-3L index score (r = -0.592). All WPAI items showed significant worsening across MEHM status levels.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study in Hungary to present population reference values with the WPAI. Productivity loss due to presenteeism deserves special attention from the employers as well as from decision makers in the labour, health and social sectors. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(36): 1522-1533.

[The prevalence of psychosomatic complaints among 8-17-year-old Hungarian children]

INTRODUCTION

Subjective health complaints are common among children as well. Age, gender, health status, etc. can modify the prevalence, intensity, frequency and the dimensions of the psychosomatic complaints.

AIM

The main purposes were to analyse the frequency pattern of psychosomatic complaints in children as well as to study the influence of physical status and lifestyle factors on psychosomatic status.

METHOD

The subjects of the present analysis represented a random sample of the Hungarian National Growth Study (n = 13 331; 8-17-year-old). The three clusters of the health complaints were somatic, psychological and sleeping disorders. The psychosomatic status of 8-17-year-old children was analysed by dividing them into subgroups of experiencing the subjective health complaints often (weekly or more often), on an average level or rarely. Frequency distributions were examined for each subjective health complaint. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to reveal the relationship between the frequency pattern of psychosomatic complaints and the hypothesized predictive factors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of the psychosomatic complaints increased by age, and girls reported more symptoms than boys. Subjective health status, nutritional status, body image, academic achievement, stature, body mass and socioeconomic status influenced the frequency pattern of psychosomatic complaints in girls, while physical activity, self-esteem, socioeconomic status and subjective health status in boys.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, gender, socioeconomic status and psychosocial status can affect the frequency pattern of the psychosomatic complaints. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(12): 464-472.

[Taking patients' views into consideration at planning and evaluating care. Patient Reported Outcomes]

Provision of patient-centred health care is impossible without the knowledge of the patient's perceptions, feelings and expectations. In contrast, participants feel the available time limited for satisfactory communication. This shortage may partially be compensated by measurements belonging to the concept of Patient Reported Outcomes. Concept definition, invention circle and use of the methods are largely diverse, eventually leading to misinterpretation of outcomes. For this reason, some organizations developed instructions, guidelines supporting uniform interpretation and application. Measures so far have rather served research goals yet may be applied in the clinical practice as well. They are not only appropriate for the evaluation of outcomes, judgement of adequacy and safety of care on systemic or institutional level, but also for the planning of individual patient care and supporting communication and co-operation. The present paper aims to provide general information and references for introducing the details. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(6): 215-222.

[Characteristics and determinants of informal care in chronic diseases in Hungary: a comparative analysis]

INTRODUCTION

Informal care plays an important role in ageing societies.

AIM

To analyse informal care use and its determinants among patients with chronic diseases in Hungary.

METHOD

Patient level data from previous studies in 14 diagnoses were analysed including patients' EQ-5D-3L health status. Descriptive statistics were performed and a linear regression model was built to analyse determinants of informal care time.

RESULTS

2047 patients (female: 58%) with mean age of 58.9 (SD = 16.3) years and EQ-5D-3L index score of 0.64 (SD = 0.33) were involved. 27% received informal care, the average time of care was 7.54 (SD = 26.36) hours/week. Both the rate of informal care use and its time differed significantly between the diagnoses (p<0.05), the highest were in dementia, Parkinsons' disease and in chronic inflammatory immunological diseases. Significant determinants were age, EQ-5D-3L scores, gender and certain diagnosis dummys (R² = 0.111).

CONCLUSIONS

Informal care use is significant in chronic debilitating conditions. Future studies are encouraged to reveal unmet needs, preferences and further explanatory factors. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(52): 2068-2078.

[Retired physicians in Hungary - nationwide, representative study]

INTRODUCTION

The aging population and the aging physician society is an important challenge of the New Millenium. Despite this, very few publications are dealing with the older generations' physical and mental well-being, quality of life and working conditions.

AIM

The aim of this study was to describe the retired physicians populations' (n = 2112) demographic data, work status, income and health status.

METHOD

Data of this representative, cross-sectional epidemiological study was obtained from online and paper-based questionnaires completed by 2112 retired physicians.

RESULTS

The retired physicians' average age is 72 years, nearly two-thirds of the respondents retired after 35-45 years of service. Currently, nearly 60% are working, almost a quarter of them more than 40 hours per week. 35% of the respondents' income is below HUF 150,000. On this issue, significant differences emerge between female doctors and their male colleagues.

CONCLUSIONS

The employment data of the results is consistent with the international trend, but the gender perspectives has unique significance in the international literature. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(43), 1729-1736.

[Insomnia and habits to help to fall asleep among adults]

INTRODUCTION

The quality of sleep can be influenced by several factors, insomnia in turn has an effect on the state of health.

AIM

The aim of our survey is to measure the effects of insomnia, furthermore, the sleep affecting agents and habits to help to fall asleep among adults.

METHOD

We collected the online nationwide and the written datas from the South-Transdanubia region, 455 adults filled the questionnaire which contains the Athens Insomnia Scale.

RESULTS

13.4% of participants has insomnia, it is influenced by the quality of diet (p<0.001), comsumption of coffee (p = 0.045) and the physical activity (p = 0.011), what is more in correlation with the prevalency of chronic deseases (p = 0.001) and psychosomatic symptoms (p<0.001). The most frequent causes of sleep disorders are: work-related stress (35.6%), personal-life stress (35.4%) and pain (24.2%). In case of dormition problems most of the participants watch television (52.1%) and read (33%); 7.5% and 11.4% of the responders use sleeping pills and tisane.

CONCLUSIONS

We attract attention to the prevalency and effects of insomnia, and the habits to help to fall asleep. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(49), 1955-1959.

[The role of physical activity in health promotion of healthcare workers]

INTRODUCTION

The health status of doctors, nurses and any other professionals working in the healthcare sector influences the quality of their work. Therefore, health promotion of healthcare workers is not only an occupational health program but it can be considered as an action towards improving the quality of care.

AIM

The current study was designed to assess the efficacy of a health promotion intervention among healthcare workers after health status assessment.

METHOD

Before and after the intervention a self-assessment questionnaire-based health survey and physical status examination were performed. Members of the intervention group were offered to use fitness facilities, professional psychological help, dietary counselling, and dental consultation.

RESULTS

The intervention program lasted for 12 months with the participation of 79 health care professionals (based on their decision being in the intervention or in the control group). Significant decrease was found in the abdominal perimeter in participants of the intervention group and they ran a longer distance on the 12 minute-long-run test at the end of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

The positive effect of regular physical exercise as part of active lifestyle has been demonstrated not only in the increase of physical capacity, but in the change of body shape, as well. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(39), 1563-1570.

[Health status of the Hungarian population between 2000-2010]

INTRODUCTION

So far, the latest survey which used the EQ-5D questionnaire to measure the health status of the Hungarian population was carried out in 2000.

AIM

To explore the health state of the Hungarian population by socio-demographic characteristics, and to compare it with the results from 2000.

METHOD

As part of an international research project, a cross-sectional, online survey was carried out among the general population in 2010 using the EQ-5D-3L questionnaire.

RESULTS

In total, 2281 respondents (female: 62.3%) completed the questionnaire with an average age of 40.8 years. The EQ-5D score ranged from 0.902 (in age-group 18-24) to 0.795 (65+). The authors found significant association between the EQ-5D score and all the socio-demographic variables (gender, age, education, income) included in the regression model (F(4,1967)=35.12, p=0.000). The results did not differ significantly from the health survey in 2000, except for the youngest population group (age 18-24), where significantly lower scores were found in the sample.

CONCLUSIONS

While life expectance increased by 3 years between 2000 and 2010, the health status of the Hungarian population did not change significantly, and might even decreased among young adults in fact. Inequalities in health status by income and education remain significant. In international comparison, the health status of the Hungarian population remains among the worst ones.

[International comparative study on health condition of young people]

INTRODUCTION

The connection between physical condition, coping strategies and emotional intelligence is widely studied in the international literature, but comparative research data collected among Transylvanian and Hungarian adolescents are not available in contemporary psychological literature.

AIM

The aim of the authors was to study health indicators, emotional intelligence and coping strategies among adolescents and analyse connections between these factors and physical condition as part of an international research.

METHOD

The physical condition, coping strategies and emotional intelligence of 390 individuals, aged between 13 and 19 years living in Debrecen (Hungary) and Érmihályfalva (Romania) were observed.

RESULTS

adaptive (i. e. problem-focused) coping strategies used in stressful situations resulted in lower depression rates, as well as better mental well-being than the maladaptive ones such as emotional clearing, self-punishment, distraction of attention. Adolescents showing higher emotional intelligence had lower depression levels and better mental well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

Institutionally initiated emotional intelligence and coping strategy development for young people may prove to be an important preventive interventional public health programme. This may serve as a basis to assist health-consciousness and personality formatting.

[Health survey of ambulance workers with a generic questionnaire (SF-36)]

INTRODUCTION

The high work-related stress among ambulance workers is a widely known a phenomenon.

AIM

The aim of the authors was to asses self-reported health status of ambulance workers.

METHOD

An anonym self-fill-in questionnaire applying SF-36 was used among workers from the northern and western regions of Hungarian National Ambulance Service.

RESULTS

Based on the dimensions of the SF-36 questionnaire the responders considered their "Physical Functioning" the best, while "Vitality" was regarded the worst. The more time an employee have been worked at the Ambulance Service the worse his health was in the first four dimensions including "Physical Functioning", "Role-Physical", "Bodily Pain" and "General Health": p<0.001. Those working in part-time jobs considered their health in all dimensions worse. The respondents who did some kind of sports hold their health in all dimensions better (p<0.001). The workers with higher body mass index regarded their health status worse, in four dimensions: "Physical Functioning" (p = 0.001), "Role-Physical" (p = 0.013), "General Health" (p<0.001) and "Role-Emotional" (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the subjective perception of health and measurable parameters of health status of workers proved to be insufficient. Poor physical health can lead indirectly to psychological problems, which may lower the quality of the work and can lead to high turn-over. .