| 1. |
- Costa, D, et al.
(författare)
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Intimate partner violence: a study in men and women from six European countries
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1661-8556 .- 1661-8564. ; 60:4, s. 467-478
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We aimed to assess intimate partner violence (IPV) among men and women from six cities in six European countries.Four IPV types were measured in a population-based multicentre study of adults (18-64 years; n = 3,496). Sex- and city-differences in past year prevalence were examined considering victims, perpetrators or both and considering violent acts' severity and repetition.Male victimization of psychological aggression ranged from 48.8 % (Porto) to 71.8 % (Athens) and female victimization from 46.4 % (Budapest) to 70.5 % (Athens). Male and female victimization of sexual coercion ranged from 5.4 and 8.9 %, respectively, in Budapest to 27.1 and 25.3 % in Stuttgart. Male and female victims of physical assault ranged from 9.7 and 8.5 %, respectively, in Porto, to 31.2 and 23.1 % in Athens. Male victims of injury were 2.7 % in A-stersund and 6.3 % in London and female victims were 1.4 % in A-stersund and 8.5 % in Stuttgart. IPV differed significantly across cities (p < 0.05). Men and women predominantly experienced IPV as both victims and perpetrators with few significant sex-differences within cities.Results support the need to consider men and women as both potential victims and perpetrators when approaching IPV.
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| 2. |
- Costa, D, et al.
(författare)
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Intimate partner violence and health-related quality of life in European men and women: Findings from the DOVE study
- 2015
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Ingår i: Quality of Life Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0962-9343 .- 1573-2649. ; 24:2, s. 463-473
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AbstractPurposeLittle is known on the specific relation betweenbeing a perpetrator or both a victim and perpetrator ofintimate partner violence (IPV) and health-related qualityof life (HRQoL). We assessed the association betweenHRQoL and abuse, considering men and women as victims,perpetrators or reciprocally.MethodsParticipants were adult men and women(n=3,496), randomly selected from the general populationof six European cities. The Revised-Conflict-Tactics-Scalesand the Medical-Outcomes-Study 36-item Short-FormHealth Survey (SF-36) were used to measure IPV andHRQoL. The age-, education-, and city-adjusted meanscores[standard error] of the physical and of the mental SF-36 component summaries were used to compare victimsonly,perpetrators-only, and those involved in both (bidirectionalor reciprocal cases) with those not involved in pastyearand lifetime physical assault and/or sexual coercion.ResultsThe physical component summary was significantlylower in women involved in past-year bidirectionalphysical assault compared with non-abused women. Themental component summary in women not involved in IPVwas significantly higher than in those physically abused,regardless of type of involvement. Women victims-only ofpast-year sexual coercion and victims or involved in bidirectionalconcomitant physical and sexual IPV also presentedlower scores in the mental component summary thanwomen not involved in IPV. In men, significantly lowerscores in the mental component summary were found in thepast-year bidirectional physically assaulted group andamong those involved bidirectionally in both physical andsexual IPV compared with men not involved in IPV.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Costa, D., et al.
(författare)
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Male and female physical intimate partner violence and socio-economic position : a cross-sectional international multicentre study in Europe
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Public Health. - UK : Elsevier. - 2198-1833 .- 1613-2238. ; 139, s. 44-52
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesThis work explores the association between socio-economic position (SEP) and intimate partner violence (IPV) considering the perspectives of men and women as victims, perpetrators and as both (bidirectional).Study designCross-sectional international multicentre study.MethodsA sample of 3496 men and women, (aged 18–64 years), randomly selected from the general population of residents from six European cities was assessed: Athens; Budapest; London; Östersund; Porto; and Stuttgart. Their education (primary, secondary and university), occupation (upper white collar, lower white collar and blue collar) and unemployment duration (never, ≤12 months and >12 months) were considered as SEP indicators and physical IPV was measured with the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales.ResultsPast year physical IPV was declared by 17.7% of women (3.5% victims, 4.2% perpetrators and 10.0% bidirectional) and 19.8% of men (4.1% victims, 3.8% perpetrators and 11.9% bidirectional). Low educational level (primary vs university) was associated with female victimisation (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 3.2; 1.3–8.0) and with female bidirectional IPV (4.1, 2.4–7.1). Blue collar occupation (vs upper white) was associated with female victimisation (2.1, 1.1–4.0), female perpetration (3.0, 1.3–6.8) and female bidirectional IPV (4.0, 2.3–7.0). Unemployment duration was associated with male perpetration (>12 months of unemployment vs never unemployed: 3.8; 1.7–8.7) and with bidirectional IPV in both sex (women: 1.8, 1.2–2.7; men: 1.7, 1.0–2.8).ConclusionsIn these European centres, physical IPV was associated with a disadvantaged SEP. A consistent socio-economic gradient was observed in female bidirectional involvement, but victims or perpetrators-only presented gender specificities according to levels of education, occupation differentiation and unemployment duration potentially useful for designing interventions.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Dias, N. G., et al.
(författare)
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Contextual determinants of intimate partner violence : a multi-level analysis in six European cities
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1661-8556 .- 1661-8564. ; 65, s. 1669-1679
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To assess whether city-level characteristics influence the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization across six European cities. Methods: The DOVE study included 3496 participants from Athens–Greece, Budapest–Hungary, London–UK, Östersund–Sweden, Porto–Portugal and Stuttgart–Germany. IPV victimization was assessed using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, and several contextual variables were included: GINI coefficient, gender equality index, an index of social support, unemployment rate and proportion of residents with tertiary education. Multilevel models were fitted to estimate the associations (odds ratio, 95% confidence intervals) between each type of victimization and contextual and individual-level variables. Results: 62.3% of the participants reported being a victim of IPV during the previous year, with large between-city differences (53.9%–72.4%). Contextual variables accounted for a substantial amount of this heterogeneity. Unemployment rates were associated with psychological (1.05, 1.01–1.08) and physical IPV (1.07, 1.01–1.13). GINI coefficient showed a positive association with any form of IPV (1.06, 1.01–1.11) and sexual coercion (1.13, 1.01–1.25). Conclusions: We found significant associations between contextual determinants and IPV, which emphasizes the importance of considering contextual socioeconomic conditions when policy measures are designed to address IPV.
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| 7. |
- Bränn, Emma, 1988-, et al.
(författare)
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Metabolic Profiling Indicates Diversity in the Metabolic Physiologies Associated With Maternal Postpartum Depressive Symptoms
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Psychiatry. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-0640. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a devastating disease requiring improvements in diagnosis and prevention. Blood metabolomics identifies biological markers discriminatory between women with and those without antenatal depressive symptoms. Whether this cutting-edge method can be applied to postpartum depressive symptoms merits further investigation. Methods: As a substudy within the Biology, Affect, Stress, Imagine and Cognition Study, 24 women with PPD symptom (PPDS) assessment at 6 weeks postpartum were included. Controls were selected as having a score of ≤ 6 and PPDS cases as ≥12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Blood plasma was collected at 10 weeks postpartum and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics. Results: Variations of metabolomic profiles within the PPDS samples were identified. One cluster showed altered kidney function, whereas the other, a metabolic syndrome profile, both previously associated with depression. Five metabolites (glycerol, threonine, 2-hydroxybutanoic acid, erythritol, and phenylalanine) showed higher abundance among women with PPDSs, indicating perturbations in the serine/threonine and glycerol lipid metabolism, suggesting oxidative stress conditions. Conclusions: Alterations in certain metabolites were associated with depressive pathophysiology postpartum, whereas diversity in PPDS physiologies was revealed. Hence, plasma metabolic profiling could be considered in diagnosis and pathophysiological investigation of PPD toward providing clues for treatment. Future studies require standardization of various subgroups with respect to symptom onset, lifestyle, and comorbidities.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Fraga, S, et al.
(författare)
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Elder abuse and socioeconomic inequalities : A multilevel study in 7 European countries
- 2014
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Ingår i: Preventive Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0091-7435 .- 1096-0260. ; 61, s. 42-47
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives To compare the prevalence of elder abuse using a multilevel approach that takes into account the characteristics of participants as well as socioeconomic indicators at city and country level.Methods In 2009, the project on abuse of elderly in Europe (ABUEL) was conducted in seven cities (Stuttgart, Germany; Ancona, Italy; Kaunas, Lithuania, Stockholm, Sweden; Porto, Portugal; Granada, Spain; Athens, Greece) comprising 4467 individuals aged 60–84 years. We used a 3-level hierarchical structure of data: 1) characteristics of participants; 2) mean of tertiary education of each city; and 3) country inequality indicator (Gini coefficient). Multilevel logistic regression was used and proportional changes in Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were inspected to assert explained variance between models.Results The prevalence of elder abuse showed large variations across sites. Adding tertiary education to the regression model reduced the country level variance for psychological abuse (ICC = 3.4%), with no significant decrease in the explained variance for the other types of abuse. When the Gini coefficient was considered, the highest drop in ICC was observed for financial abuse (from 9.5% to 4.3%).Conclusion There is a societal and community level dimension that adds information to individual variability in explaining country differences in elder abuse, highlighting underlying socioeconomic inequalities leading to such behavior.
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| 10. |
- Fraga, S, et al.
(författare)
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Lifetime Abuse and Quality of Life among Older People
- 2017
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Ingår i: Health & Social Work. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0360-7283 .- 1545-6854. ; 42:4, s. 215-222
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Few studies have evaluated the impact of lifetime abuse on quality of life (QoL) among older adults. By using a multinational study authors aimed to assess the subjective perception of QoL among people who have reported abuse during the course of their lifetime. The respondents (N = 4,467; 2,559 women) were between the ages of 60 and 84 years and living in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden). Lifetime abuse was assessed by using a structured questionnaire that allowed to assess lifetime experiences of abuse. QoL was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Old module. After adjustment for potential confounders, authors found that to have had any abusive experience decreased the score of sensory abilities. Psychological abuse was associated with lower autonomy and past, present, and future activities. Physical abuse with injuries significantly decreased social participation. Intimacy was also negatively associated with psychological abuse, physical abuse with injury, and sexual abuse. The results of this study provide evidence that older people exposed to abuse during their lifetime have a significant reduction in QoL, with several QoL domains being negatively affected.
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| 11. |
- Kluge, U, et al.
(författare)
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Health services and the treatment of immigrants : data on service use, interpreting services and immigrant staff members in services across Europe
- 2012
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Ingår i: European psychiatry. - 0924-9338 .- 1778-3585. ; 27:Suppl 2, s. 56-62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND:The number of immigrants using health services has increased across Europe. For assessing and improving the quality of care provided for immigrants, information is required on how many immigrants use services, what interpreting services are provided and whether staff members are from immigrant groups.METHODS:Structured interviews were conducted with 15 health services (9 primary care, 3 emergency departments, 3 mental health) located in areas with high immigrant populations in each of 16 European countries (n=240). Responses were collected on the availability of data on service use by immigrant patients, the provision of interpreting services and immigrant staff members.RESULTS:Data on service use by immigrants were recorded by only 15% of services. More than 40% of services did not provide any form of interpreting service and 54% of the services reported having no immigrant staff. Mental health services were more likely to use direct interpreting services, and both mental health and emergency services were more likely to have immigrant staff members.DISCUSSION:For assessing and improving the quality of care provided for immigrants, there is a need to improve the availability of data on service use by immigrants in health services throughout Europe and to provide more consistent access to interpreting services.
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| 12. |
- Lindert, J, et al.
(författare)
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Abuse and neglect of older persons in 7 cities in seven countries in Europe : a cross sectional community study
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1661-8556 .- 1661-8564. ; 58:1, s. 121-132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the prevalence rate of abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial, neglect) of older persons (AO) in seven cities from seven countries in Europe (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden), and to assess factors potentially associated with AO.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 (n = 4,467, aged 60–84). Potentially associated factors were grouped into domains (domain 1: age, gender, migration history; domain 2: education, occupation; domain 3: marital status, living situation; domain 4: habitation, income, financial strain). We calculated odds ratios (OR) with their respective 95 % confidence intervals (CI).ResultsPsychological AO was the most common form of AO, ranging from 10.4 % (95 % CI 8.1–13.0) in Italy to 29.7 % (95 % CI 26.2–33.5) in Sweden. Second most common form was financial AO, ranging from 1.8 % (95 % CI 0.9–3.2) in Sweden to 7.8 % (95 % CI 5.8–10.1) in Portugal. Less common was physical AO, ranging from 1.0 % (95 % CI 0.4–2.1) in Italy to 4.0 % (95 % CI 2.6–5.8 %) in Sweden. Sexual AO was least common, ranging from 0.3 (95 % CI 0.0–1.1) in Italy and Spain to 1.5 % (95 % CI 0.7–2.8) in Greece. Being from Germany (AOR 3.25, 95 % CI 2.34–4.51), Sweden (OR 3.16, 95 % CI 2.28–4.39) or Lithuania (AOR 2.45, 95 % CI 1.75–3.43) was associated with increased prevalence rates of AO.ConclusionCountry of residence of older people is independent from the four assessed domains associated with AO. Life course perspectives on AO are highly needed to get better insight, and to develop and implement prevention strategies targeted at decreasing prevalence rates of AO.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Macassa, Gloria, et al.
(författare)
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Psychological abuse among older persons in Europe : A cross-sectional study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research. - : Emerald. - 1759-6599. ; 5:1, s. 16-34
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – Elder abuse is an issue of great concern world-wide, not least in Europe. Older people are increasingly vulnerable to physical, psychological, financial maltreatment and sexual coercion. However, due to complexities of measurement, psychological abuse may be underestimated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of psychological abuse toward older persons within a 12 month period.Design/methodology/approach – The study design was cross-sectional and data were collected during January-July 2009 in the survey “Elder abuse: a multinational prevalence survey, ABUEL”. The participants were 4,467 randomly selected persons aged 60-84 years (2,559 women, 57.3 per cent) from seven EU countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden). The sample size was adapted to each city according to their population of women and men aged 60-84 years (albeit representative and proportional to sex-age). The participants answered a structured questionnaire either through a face-to-face interview or a mix of interview/self-response. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression methods.Findings – The prevalence of overall psychological abuse was 29.7 per cent in Sweden, followed by 27.1 per cent in Germany; 24.6 per cent in Lithuania and 21.9 per cent in Portugal. The lowest prevalence was reported in Greece, Spain and Italy with 13.2 per cent, 11.5 per cent and 10.4 per cent, respectively. Similar tendencies were observed concerning minor/severe abuse. The Northern countries (Germany, Lithuania, Sweden) compared to Southern countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain) reported a higher mean prevalence (across countries) of minor/severe abuse (26.3 per cent/11.5 per cent and 12.9 per cent/5.9 per cent, respectively). Most perpetrators (71.2 per cent) were spouses/partners and other relatives (e.g. children). The regression analysis indicated that being from Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain was associated with less risk of psychological abuse. Low social support, living in rented housing, alcohol use, frequent health care use, and high scores in anxiety and somatic complaints were associated with increased risk of psychological abuse.Social implications – Psychological abuse was more prevalent in Northern than Southern countries and factors such as low social support and high anxiety levels played an important role. Further studies are warranted to investigate the prevalence of psychological abuse and risk factors among older persons in other EU countries. Particular attention should be paid to severe abuse. Such research may help policy makers and health planers/providers in tailoring interventions to tackle the ever growing problem of elder abuse.Originality/value – The paper reports data from the ABUEL Survey, which collected population based data on elderly abuse.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Soares, Joaquim Jorge Fernandes, et al.
(författare)
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The impact of psychological abuse on somatic symptoms : A study of older persons aged 60-84 years
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Adult Protection. - 1466-8203 .- 2042-8669. ; 16:4, s. 213-231
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in the experience of somatic symptoms by domain (exhaustion, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, heart distress) between psychologically abused and non-abused older persons, and to scrutinize associations between abuse and somatic symptoms while considering other factors (e.g. social support).Design/methodology/approach– The design was cross-sectional. The participants were 4,467 women/men aged 60-84 years living in seven European cities. The data were analysed using bivariate/multivariate methods.Findings– Psychologically abused participants scored higher on all somatic symptom domains than non-abused, and thus were more affected by the symptoms. The regressions confirmed a positive association between psychological abuse and most somatic symptom domains, but other factors (e.g. depression, anxiety) were more salient. Demographics/socio-economics were positively (e.g. marriage/cohabitation) or negatively (e.g. education) associated with somatic symptoms depending on the domain. Social support and family structure "protected" the experience of somatic symptoms.Research limitations/implications– The research focused on psychological abuse. It did not incorporate other abuse types calling for further research on the effects of other abuse types on somatic symptoms. Nevertheless, the findings indicate that psychological abuse is linked to somatic symptoms, but the role of other factors (e.g. depression, anxiety, social support) is also important.Practical implications– Improvements in the older person's situation regarding somatic symptoms need to consider psychological abuse, co-morbidities, social support and living conditions.Originality/value– The paper reports data from the ABUEL Survey, which collected population-based data on elder abuse.
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| 21. |
- Stankunas, M, et al.
(författare)
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Differences in reporting somatic complaints in elderly by education level
- 2013
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Ingår i: Central European Journal of Medicine. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1895-1058 .- 1644-3640. ; 8:1, s. 125-131
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: To evaluate the association between somatic complaints and education level among elders in selected European countries. Methods: Cross-sectional study among randomly selected community dwelling persons aged 60–84 years from seven cities in Europe: Ancona (Italy), Athens (Greece), Granada (Spain), Kaunas (Lithuania), Stuttgart (Germany), Porto (Portugal) and Stockholm (Sweden). Somatic complaints were measured with the 24-item version of the Giessen Complaint List (GBB-24). A regression analysis was done to investigate the association between education and somatic complaints. Results. The mean GBB-24 scale was 16.3±14.9. The most common complaints were pain in joints and limbs (29.6%), back-pain (24.1%), heaviness or tiredness in the legs (19.1%) and general tiredness (15.7%). Respondents with less than primary education reported higher levels of somatic symptoms compared to those with university degree. A regression analysis showed that higher education (OR=0.69) and being male (OR=0.48) were associated with a decreased risk for high levels of somatic complaints, and the opposite for older age (OR=1.03) and being single/divorced/window (OR=1.28). Conclusions: The results indicate that less educated elders are more likely to expressed somatic complaints.
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| 22. |
- Stankunas, M., et al.
(författare)
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Healthcare and aging : Do European Union countries differ?
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance. - 0952-6862 .- 1758-6542. ; 29:8, s. 895-906
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate socio-economic inequalities in the use, accessibility and satisfaction with health services amongst 60-84 year old people from seven European urban communities. Design/methodology/approach: Data for this study were collected in 2009. The target population was people aged 60-84 years from Stuttgart (Germany), Athens (Greece), Ancona (Italy), Kaunas (Lithuania), Porto (Portugal), Granada (Spain) and Stockholm (Sweden). The total sample comprised 4,467 respondents with a mean response rate across these countries of 45.2 per cent. Findings: The study demonstrated that the majority of respondents had contact with a health care provider within the last 12 months. The highest percentages were reported by respondents from Spain (97.8 per cent) and Portugal (97.7 per cent). The results suggest that 13.0 per cent of respondents had refrained from seeking care services. The highest rates were amongst seniors from Lithuania (24.0 per cent), Germany (16.2 per cent) and Portugal (15.4 per cent). Logistic regression suggests that seniors who refrained from seeking health care was statistically significant associated with those with higher levels of education (odds ratios (OR)=1.21; 95 per cent confidence intervals (CI)=1.01-1.25) and financial strain (OR=1.26; 95 per cent CI=1.16-1.37). Furthermore, the majority of respondents were satisfied with health care services. Originality/value: The findings from the “Elder Abuse: a multinational prevalence survey” study indicate the existence of significant variations in use, accessibility and satisfaction with health services by country and for socio-economic factors related to organizing and financing of care systems.
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| 24. |
- Stankuniene, A., et al.
(författare)
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Causes of refraining from buying prescribed medications among the elderly in Kaunas, Lithuania
- 2011
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Ingår i: Medicina. - : MDPI AG. - 0025-7680 .- 1669-9106. ; 47:5, s. 291-296
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and Objective: Accessibility to medications among the elderly is a source of concern in Lithuania and beyond. However, there are no studies carried out on this topic in Lithuania. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the causes of refraining from buying prescribed medications among the elderly in Kaunas, Lithuania. Material and Methods:The data were collected in a cross-sectional ABUEL study in 2009. A total of 624 filled-in questionnaires (response rate, 48.9%) from the elderly aged 60-84 years living in Kaunas (Lithuania) were received. For evaluation of the impact of explanatory variables on the analyzed event (binary dependent variable), an Enter model of logistic regression was used. Results:The study showed that 32.7% of the respondents refrained from buying prescribed medications. The most common reasons (respondents could select several options) for this decision were financial problems (48.0%), disappearance of problems (40.7%), and fear of side effects (22.5%). Refraining from buying prescribed medications was positively associated with age (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.99). Higher education was associated with a reduced risk of refraining from buying prescribed medications due to financial problems (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.78) and an increased risk of refraining from buying medications due to the disappearance of health problems (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.68). An opposite association with worries about daily expenses was observed. Conclusions:Study has revealed that one-third of the elderly refrained from buying prescribed medications, and the main reasons for this were financial problems and disappearance of health problems.
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| 25. |
- Tredal, Ingrid, et al.
(författare)
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Alcohol use among abused and non-abused older persons aged 60-84 years : A European study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Drugs. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0968-7637 .- 1465-3370. ; 20:2, s. 96-109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Describing alcohol use by abuse type (e.g. psychological) and considering other factors (e.g. depression).Methods: The respondents were 4467 (2559 women, 57.3%) randomly selected elders (60–84 years) from seven European cities. The cross-sectional data were collected with scales covering various areas and examined with bivariate/multivariate methods.Findings: Psychologically abused elders were more often alcohol users than non-users (21.7% vs. 16.3%) and the opposite regarding financially abused elders (4.8% vs. 3.5%). Psychologically abused elders also had more often three or more drinks containing alcohol in a drinking day (21.1% vs. 16.1%) and six or more drinks on one occasion (24.5% vs. 18.3%). Psychological abuse, demographics/socio-economics (e.g. education), smoking and leisure activities were positively associated alcohol use, and being from certain countries (e.g. Italy), age (e.g. 80–84 years), depression and financial abuse negatively.Conclusions: Across countries, 64.2% of the elders were drinkers. Some variables (e.g. psychological abuse) were positively related to alcohol use and others (e.g. depression) negatively. Many of the elders were exposed to abuse. Our findings may be useful to prevent/manage drinking and abuse among elders. However, alcohol use was influenced by various factors that need to be further elucidated, particularly the relation between abuse and drinking.
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