Homeless Health-Related Quality of LifeGloria Bocci

Background

Homeless are a vulnerable group and have worse physical and mental health as well as higher rates of premature mortality than the general population The aim of this study is to investigate the health status of homeless in Padova, Northern Italy, using SF-36 and EQ-5D questionnaires to better understand their health needs.

Methods

We had face to face interviews with 73 homeless that live in city of Padova, Italy. We used the SF-36 questionnaire and 5q- 5d questionnaire to assess the Health-Related Quality of Life. 

Results 

Fifty-nine questionnaires were completed. Our population was made by 49 men and 10 women of which 32 were Italian. The mean age of the Italian homeless was 53,3 years, higher than that of the foreigners (42,4 years). Foreigners spent less time in the dormitory (OR = 3.06 p = 0.0029) and they also used to have a family doctor less frequently than Italian guests (OR = 60 p = 0.0000). Foreigners had a lower risk to have hypertension (OR = 4.8 p = 0.04) and they had less disease at 9th European Public Health Conference: Parallel Sessions 19 by guest on January 5, 2017 http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/ Downloaded from the time of the interview (OR = 1.48 p = 0.079). About the use of the emergency department, 30 subjects (50.7%) said they have used it from 2 to 5 times in the last year. There is a statistically significant difference between Italians and foreigners regarding the medians of the General Health domain of the SF-36 questionnaire (p = 0.03). The mean value of each domain of the SF-36 questionnaire in our study population was lower than Italian general population. The average value of EQ-VAS in the female population was 50 while 63.2 in men, this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.02). 

Conclusions 

Homeless showed a worse health than the general population and in this group foreigners showed a better health and better questionnaire Results regarding the emotional role and mental health domains foreigners scored less than the Italians. Women showed worse health than men.
Publication Date: 
2017