Abstract
This study investigates the health status of informal caregivers residing in rural South Africa, encompassing chronic conditions and self-reported health. These caregivers, who play a pivotal role in providing care for older, frail household members, have limited access to formal support or respite care. The objective of this research is to elucidate the physical health challenges faced by this population, with a specific focus on the prevalence of chronic conditions and the general perception of their health. Employing a cross-sectional design, data were collected from a representative sample of caregivers through self-reported questionnaires and clinical assessments. Preliminary findings reveal a substantial burden of chronic diseases among these caregivers, with significant implications for their well-being and caregiving capacity. The results underscore the critical need for targeted health interventions and policy measures to support the health of informal caregivers in rural settings. This study contributes to the extant literature on caregiver health in low-resource environments and identifies key areas for future research and intervention.
Presenters
Sostina MatinaPostdoctoral Fellow, MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits University, Gauteng, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Aging, Health, Caregiving, Rural
