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    Use of equipment and respite services and caregiver health among Australian families living with Rett syndrome

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Urbanowicz, A.
    Downs, Jennepher
    Bebbington, A.
    Jacoby, P.
    Girdler, S.
    Leonard, H.
    Date
    2011
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Urbanowicz, Anna and Downs, Jenny and Bebbington, Ami and Jacoby, Peter and Girdler, Sonya and Leonard, Helen. 2011. Use of equipment and respite services and caregiver health among Australian families living with Rett syndrome. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 5: pp. 722-732.
    Source Title
    Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
    DOI
    10.1016/j.rasd.2010.08.006
    ISSN
    1750-9467
    School
    School of Physiotherapy
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/40899
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    This study assessed factors that could influence equipment and respite services use among Australian families caring for a girl/woman with Rett syndrome and examined relationships between use of these resources and the health of female caregivers. Data was sourced from questionnaires completed by families (n = 170) contributing to the Australian Rett Syndrome Database in 2004 and 2006. Regression analysis was used to assess relationships between child factors (age, mobility, clinical severity and behaviour), family factors (accessibility and socio-economic factors) and the use of equipment and respite services in 2004, and relationships between resource use in 2004 and health of female caregivers as measured by the SF-12 in 2006. In 2004, the majority (88.3%) of families used at least one piece of equipment with more equipment use associated with greater mobility restrictions. Home respite services were used by 54.9% of families and overnight respite services by 47.6% of families. Use of more home respite services was associated with severely restricted levels of mobility and mothers having a vocational or university qualification. Use of more overnight respite services was associated with increasing age of the girl/woman with Rett syndrome and mothers being employed while use of less overnight respite services was associated with increasingly difficult behaviours in the girl/woman.In 2006, female caregivers had a mean mental health score of 41.1 (95% CI 38.9–43.3) and no relationships with previous resource use were identified. The mean physical health score of female caregivers was 48.7 (95% CI 46.8–50.5) and lower scores were associated with the use of equipment and overnight respite services. Equipment was a widely used resource whereas respite services, particularly overnight services, were used less widely. Further investigation of the reasons for this and alternative support strategies is indicated.

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