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- Lindert, J, et al.
(author)
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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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In: International Journal of Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1661-8556 .- 1661-8564. ; 58:1, s. 121-132
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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- Stankuniene, A., et al.
(author)
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Causes of refraining from buying prescribed medications among the elderly in Kaunas, Lithuania
- 2011
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In: Medicina. - : MDPI AG. - 0025-7680 .- 1669-9106. ; 47:5, s. 291-296
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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- Tredal, Ingrid, et al.
(author)
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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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In: Drugs. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0968-7637 .- 1465-3370. ; 20:2, s. 96-109
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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- Costa, D, et al.
(author)
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Factors associated with quality of services for marginalized groups with mental health problems in 14 European countries
- 2014
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In: BMC Health Services Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6963. ; , s. Art. no. 49-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:Different service characteristics are known to influence mental health care delivery. Much less isknown about the impact of contextual factors, such as the socioeconomic circumstances, on the provision of careto socially marginalized groups.The objectives of this work were to assess the organisational characteristics of services providing mental health carefor marginalized groups in 14 European capital cities and to explore the associations between organisationalquality, service features and country-level characteristics.Methods:617 services were assessed in two highly deprived areas in 14 European capital cities. A Quality Index ofService Organisation (QISO) was developed and applied across all sites. Service characteristics and country levelsocioeconomic indicators were tested and related with the Index using linear regressions and random interceptlinear models.Results:The mean (standard deviation) of the QISO score (minimum = 0; maximum = 15) varied from 8.63 (2.23) inIreland to 12.40 (2.07) in Hungary. The number of different programmes provided was the only service characteristicsignificantly correlated with the QISO (p < 0.05). The national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was inverselyassociated with the QISO. Nearly 15% of the variance of the QISO was attributed to country-level variables, withGDP explaining 12% of this variance.Conclusions:Socioeconomic contextual factors, in particular the national GDP are likely to influence theorganisational quality of services providing mental health care for marginalized groups. Such factors should beconsidered in international comparative studies. Their significance for different types of services should be exploredin further research.Keywords:Mental health services, Quality index of service organization, Socially marginalized groups,Multi-level analysis
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- Strassmayr, C, et al.
(author)
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Mental health care for irregular migrants in Europe : Barriers and how they are overcome
- 2012
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In: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 12:367, s. Art. no. 367-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundIrregular migrants (IMs) are exposed to a wide range of risk factors for developing mental health problems. However, little is known about whether and how they receive mental health care across European countries. The aims of this study were (1) to identify barriers to mental health care for IMs, and (2) to explore ways by which these barriers are overcome in practice.MethodsData from semi-structured interviews with 25 experts in the field of mental health care for IMs in the capital cities of 14 European countries were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsExperts reported a range of barriers to mental health care for IMs. These include the absence of legal entitlements to health care in some countries or a lack of awareness of such entitlements, administrative obstacles, a shortage of culturally sensitive care, the complexity of the social needs of IMs, and their fear of being reported and deported. These barriers can be partly overcome by networks of committed professionals and supportive services. NGOs have become important initial points of contact for IMs, providing mental health care themselves or referring IMs to other suitable services. However, these services are often confronted with the ethical dilemma of either acting according to the legislation and institutional rules or providing care for humanitarian reasons, which involves the risk of acting illegally and providing care without authorisation.ConclusionsEven in countries where access to health care is legally possible for IMs, various other barriers remain. Some of these are common to all migrants, whilst others are specific for IMs. Attempts at improving mental health care for IMs should consider barriers beyond legal entitlement, including communicating information about entitlement to mental health care professionals and patients, providing culturally sensitive care and ensuring sufficient resources.
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