TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing quality of life in Welsh carers with and without back pain
AU - Shiue, Ivy
PY - 2015/7/3
Y1 - 2015/7/3
N2 - Background
The author aimed to study the prevalence and characteristics of care provision in Welsh adults with and without back pain, as well as their quality of life. The study used a country-wide and population-based setting from an independent dataset. Method Data were retrieved from and analysed in the Welsh Health Survey 2013. Information on demographics, lifestyle factors, regular care provision, and quality of life was obtained from household interviews. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and survey-weighted multinomial regression modelling were performed.
Results
Of 15 007 Welsh adults aged 16 years and above, 2751 (18.3%) reported they had been caring for a sick, disabled, or frail person. The carers tended to be between 40–74 years, female, had not obtained a bachelor's degree, with a body mass index >25, physically active, smokers, and living in indoor secondhand smoke households. People who lived in mid and western Wales tended to give care, compared with those who lived in southeast and north Wales. Carers with back pain experienced slight physical health and emotional problems, whereas carers without back pain experienced worse physical health and emotional problems, which could disrupt normal life.
Conclusion
Nearly one in five Welsh adults, with or without back pain, have provided care for other people. Future socioeconomic structure, health policy, and nursing programmes to reinvest in long-term care, such as a national psychiatric care initiative, should be encouraged, to lessen mental suffering alongside chronic pains and to optimise adult mental health and quality of life in all people, with or without back pain.
AB - Background
The author aimed to study the prevalence and characteristics of care provision in Welsh adults with and without back pain, as well as their quality of life. The study used a country-wide and population-based setting from an independent dataset. Method Data were retrieved from and analysed in the Welsh Health Survey 2013. Information on demographics, lifestyle factors, regular care provision, and quality of life was obtained from household interviews. Chi-square tests, t-tests, and survey-weighted multinomial regression modelling were performed.
Results
Of 15 007 Welsh adults aged 16 years and above, 2751 (18.3%) reported they had been caring for a sick, disabled, or frail person. The carers tended to be between 40–74 years, female, had not obtained a bachelor's degree, with a body mass index >25, physically active, smokers, and living in indoor secondhand smoke households. People who lived in mid and western Wales tended to give care, compared with those who lived in southeast and north Wales. Carers with back pain experienced slight physical health and emotional problems, whereas carers without back pain experienced worse physical health and emotional problems, which could disrupt normal life.
Conclusion
Nearly one in five Welsh adults, with or without back pain, have provided care for other people. Future socioeconomic structure, health policy, and nursing programmes to reinvest in long-term care, such as a national psychiatric care initiative, should be encouraged, to lessen mental suffering alongside chronic pains and to optimise adult mental health and quality of life in all people, with or without back pain.
KW - carers
KW - mental health
KW - back pain
KW - quality of life
KW - rehabilitation
M3 - Article
VL - 20
SP - 338
EP - 343
JO - British Journal of Community Nursing
JF - British Journal of Community Nursing
SN - 1462-4753
IS - 7
ER -