This article reviews 19 studies (1987-2004) on quality of life for family caregivers helping those with chronic physical illness. Here we explore the concepts of and instruments used to measure caregivers' quality of life. We were particularly interested in understanding stress-related variables and documenting factors influencing quality of life based on family stress theory. Findings show tha...

OBJECTIVES To determine the relationship between consumption of E. coli contaminated well-water and gastrointestinal illness in rural families. METHODS One hundred and eighty-one families with well-water as a drinking source participated in a one-year follow-up study. Water was tested for E. coli bacteria and health outcomes were monitored for house-hold members. RESULTS E. coli in well-wat...

Thirty-six therapists at an urban community mental health center responded to a survey about contacts with family members of 214 clients with serious mental illness. For 61 percent of the clients, the therapists reported at least one past-year contact with a family member or someone acting as a family member. Contacts were typically by telephone and often took place during crises. The focus was...

BACKGROUND Tanzania is doubly burdened with both non-communicable and infectious diseases, but information on how Tanzanians experience the co-existence of these conditions is limited. Using Kleinman's eight prompting questions the study synthesizes explanatory models from patients to describe common illness experiences of diabetes in a rural setting where malaria is the predominant health thre...

This paper proposes that stigma in relation to people with mental illness can be understood as a combination of problems of knowledge (ignorance), attitudes (prejudice) and behaviour (discrimination). From a literature review, a series of candidate interventions are identified which may be effective in reducing stigmatisation and discrimination at the following levels: individuals with mental i...

The experience of a cardiac event is a source of stress for both patients and their family members that may be viewed as a family crisis. The trajectory of cardiovascular disease, including both the acute and recovery phases, involves continuous adjustment by patients and family members as they attempt to reconcile the impact of the event and adapt to the uncertainties associated with the chron...