Physical and Mental Health Outcomes of Caregiving in Accra

Type Thesis or Dissertation - Master of Philosophy
Title Physical and Mental Health Outcomes of Caregiving in Accra
Author(s)
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
URL http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/bitstream/handle/123456789/5296/Frank Kyei-Arthur_Physical and Mental​Health Outcomes of Caregiving in Accra_2013.pdf?sequence=1
Abstract
One of society?s great resources for provision of care is its numerous family members who provide care to ill or disabled relatives. However, family caregivers perform these essential services for society and their relatives at considerable cost to themselves. Caregiving resulting in a decline in physical and emotional health, increased depressive symptoms, and a decreased sense of well-being. The main objective of this study was to examine the relationship between caregiving and physical and mental health of respondents in Accra (Ga Mashie and Agbogbloshie). This study utilized the second round of EDULINK Urban Health and Poverty Project collected among residents of Ga-Mashie (James Town and Ussher Town) and Agbogbloshie between November 25th and December 22nd 2011. Binary logistic regression models were used to determine the factors affecting physical and mental health. Findings showed that majority of respondents were non-caregivers (89 percent) and more than half of the respondents (56 percent) were females. About one-third of respondents (33.5 percent) were aged 15 to 24 and about 23.5 percent been currently married. The majority of respondents were Christians (79.8 percent). Empirical results from the binary logistic regression revealed that caregiving was not related to physical and mental health. The results also revealed that age, monthly income and chronic condition status were significantly related to physical health. In addition, the result revealed that age, education, and monthly income were significantly related to mental health. Public health interventions to improve physical health and mental health should target the aged who are most vulnerable.

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