AI Article Synopsis
- The study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the use of essential health services and health-seeking behaviors among adults in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- A survey conducted in December 2020 with 1,068 adults revealed that 64% received care, with higher rates among women, older adults, and those with chronic diseases.
- Many respondents postponed care due to appointment availability and fear of infection, highlighting the pandemic's significant impact on health access and behaviors.
- The findings emphasize the need for strategies to improve health service resilience and preparedness for future health emergencies.
Article Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patterns of use of essential health services (EHS), health-seeking behaviors, and population health and wellbeing in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) from the perspective of its adult population. A population-based survey was implemented in the FBiH in December 2020 on a sample of 1068 adults. Overall, 64% of respondents received care, significantly more being women (67% vs. 61%, p = 0.046), those with a chronic disease (CD) (75% vs. 65%, p < 0.001), and of an older age (58% in 18−34 vs. 67% in older, p = 0.031). These groups also postponed care more often (39% in 55+ vs. 31% in 18−34 years old, p = 0.01; 55% with CD vs. 31% without, p < 0.001; and 43% in females vs. 32% males, p < 0.001). Main reasons for postponing care were lack of available appointments and fear of infection. The presence of a CD was the strongest predictor of need, access, and disruptions of health care. Respondents reported increased expenses for medicines (40%) and health services (30%). The findings of the survey add user insights into EHS disruptions to existing health statistics and other data and may be used to inform strategies for mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the disruption of health care services, strengthening health system preparedness and building resilience for future emergencies.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9774738 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/bs12120495 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on healthcare, contributing to a mass exodus of the workforce. This poses a concern for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) care, which benefits from consistent care routine and staff that know the resident. Therefore, it is important to understand nursing home staff perspectives on maintaining high staff morale, which impacts recruitment, retention, and care quality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), University of New South Wales, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Background: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic extend beyond the viral impact and include social and psychological effects of the ensuing lockdowns and restrictions. Australia's lengthy lockdowns present an opportunity to study changes in the physical and mental wellbeing of older adults resulting from extended social isolation, a known risk factor for dementia, in the absence of high infection or mortality rates.
Method: Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, Sydney Centenarian Study, and CogSCAN study participants were mailed questionnaires about in-person and remote social contact and access to resources during the 2020 Sydney lockdown.
Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
UOC Geriatria - Disturbi Cognitivi e Demenza; AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy.
Background: Social restrictions and closures of services due to COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the social inclusion and well-being of older people. In fact, older adults present risk factors both in terms of health - such as frailty or multimorbidity - and in terms of quality of life - for example institutionalization - and poor social support. The main objective is to evaluate whether social support had the role of an effect modifier on the incidence of cognitive frailty.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread social isolation and loneliness, especially among older adults aged 60 years and above. Loneliness is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern given its association with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. However, less is known about the potential impact of loneliness on cognitive health and decline in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic specifically.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors.
Alzheimers Dement
December 2024
University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, Houston, TX, USA.
Background: Due to the high prevalence of depressive symptoms and dementia in older Americans (≥65 years), we trained unpaid family caregivers in an evidence-based life review depression intervention virtually via Zoom and produced positive outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of training caregivers via online video and delivering the intervention at home.
Method: We recruited caregiver-care recipient dyads nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic (N = 20 dyads).
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!