Thanapop Sasithorn, Saengsuwan Bussarawadee, Rasdi Irniza, Thanapop Chamnong
Department of Health Sciences, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand.
Master of Public Health Program, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Apr 7;22(4):578. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22040578.
Caregiving for dependent older adults presents significant health and occupational challenges, particularly in rural Thailand. This study examines predictors of health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) among in-home caregivers, focusing on health promotion, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention, and occupational health practices. An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted among 701 caregivers across 23 districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand. Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing socio-demographics, health behaviors, working conditions, and HR-QOL using the Thai SF-36V2. Stepwise regression analysis identified key predictors of HR-QOL. Our findings indicate that most caregivers were female (81.5%), middle-aged (mean age: 47.7 years), and had moderate education levels. Over half experienced moderate exposure to occupational hazards, including physical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial risks, contributing to job strain, inadequate rest, and strained relationships. HR-QOL scores suggested that a significant proportion of caregivers had moderate to poor quality of life, particularly in physical health domains. Stepwise regression analysis showed that better self-reported health promotion behaviors and occupational hazard prevention practices were positively associated with HR-QOL, whereas the presence of NCDs had a negative impact. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance caregivers' well-being and inform public health strategies for strengthening community-based care systems.
照顾依赖他人的老年人带来了重大的健康和职业挑战,在泰国农村地区尤为如此。本研究调查了居家照顾者中与健康相关的生活质量(HR-QOL)的预测因素,重点关注健康促进、非传染性疾病(NCDs)预防和职业健康实践。在泰国南部那空是他玛叻府23个区的701名照顾者中进行了一项分析性横断面研究。通过结构化问卷收集数据,使用泰国SF-36V2评估社会人口统计学、健康行为、工作条件和HR-QOL。逐步回归分析确定了HR-QOL的关键预测因素。我们的研究结果表明,大多数照顾者为女性(81.5%),中年(平均年龄:47.7岁),教育水平中等。超过一半的人经历了中度的职业危害暴露,包括物理、生物、工效学和心理社会风险,导致工作压力、休息不足和关系紧张。HR-QOL得分表明,很大一部分照顾者的生活质量为中度至较差,尤其是在身体健康领域。逐步回归分析表明,自我报告的更好的健康促进行为和职业危害预防实践与HR-QOL呈正相关,而患有非传染性疾病则有负面影响。这些发现凸显了需要有针对性的干预措施来提高照顾者的幸福感,并为加强社区护理系统的公共卫生战略提供信息。