RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to the emerging phenomenon known as Long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms long after the acute infection has passed. However, the relationship of Long COVID on housing stability and home accessibility remains underexplored. OBJECTIVE: This manuscript aims to comprehensively examine the association of Long COVID on housing stability and accessibility, identifying challenges faced by people with Long COVID and potential strategies to address them. METHODS: The study employs a cross-sectional mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. It analyzes data from 1533 people with disabilities, 514 with Long COVID and 1019 without Long COVID, to compare demographics, housing stability, financial concerns, housing problems, and home accessibility. Qualitative analysis extracts thematic insights from 13 participant narratives. RESULTS: Individuals with Long COVID exhibit significantly higher rates of housing instability (21.1 % v. 8.1 %, p < 0.001) and financial concerns, such as worries about high rent or mortgage (50.4 % v. 40.0 %, p < 0.001), compared to those without Long COVID. They also report more frequent issues with pests (30.0 % v. 23.5 %, p < 0.01) and mold (22.0 % v. 12.7 %, p < 0.001) in their homes. Qualitative analysis reveals financial setbacks, difficulties in obtaining support, and the challenges of home accessibility. CONCLUSIONS: Associations between Long COVID and challenges related to housing stability and home accessibility highlight the need for systemic changes, financial support, and advocacy. This research contributes to understanding Long COVID's challenges, informing policy development, and promoting compassionate responses, ensuring the well-being of people with Long COVID.
Asunto(s)
Accesibilidad Arquitectónica , COVID-19 , Personas con Discapacidad , Vivienda , Humanos , Personas con Discapacidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Vivienda/estadística & datos numéricos , COVID-19/epidemiología , Femenino , Masculino , Estudios Transversales , Persona de Mediana Edad , Adulto , Síndrome Post Agudo de COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , AncianoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Universal accessibility is one of the most active lines of intervention for people with disabilities and older adults. This accessibility has become a topic of growing interest regarding home access and use. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to create and validate a home assessment tool: the HESA II. METHODS: The study was conducted in four phases: (1) agreement on variables by an expert panel; (2) development of 90 items according to the AOTA framework; (3) pilot test with n = 20; and (4) final study with 156 subjects where confirmatory factor analysis was performed. RESULTS: The tool consisted of 85 items divided into five subscales related to each of the main spaces of Spanish homes: living room; kitchen; bedroom; and bathroom. CONCLUSIONS: The tool demonstrates good psychometric properties of reliability. The HESA II assesses home accessibility based on limitations in activity and participation restriction of the evaluated person as per the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health rather than on a diagnosis, making it applicable to a wide range of groups.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Little is known about how home entrances are related to community participation for people with mobility impairments. OBJECTIVE: This investigation explored how the need to navigate steps at the entrance of a home affects the community participation levels of people with mobility impairments. METHODS: This survey study used pre-measure data collected from three different samples. Participants were adults living independently in the community aged 18-94 years old who self-reported having a mobility impairment. Measures included the Brief Community Engagement Questionnaire to examine potential differential effects on the number of non-discretionary trips people make into the community (e.g., getting groceries, medications) versus the number of discretionary activities (e.g., socializing outside the home) people reported over seven days. RESULTS: People with mobility impairments were less likely to report a stepped entrance than people without MI, but when the entrance they use the most had steps they reported significantly higher exertion to use the entrance. The presence of steps had no effect on non-discretionary trips (p = .74), but was associated with 49% (p < .01) fewer discretionary activities reported by people with mobility impairment relative to those without MI. CONCLUSION: Steps at the home entrance of people with mobility impairment may be an important mediating factor in their level of participation. When researchers and practitioners evaluate interventions that aim to increase community participation of people with mobility impairment, they should control for the presence of steps at their home entrance.