Health behaviors and cancer screening in family caregivers vs. general population

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare health behaviors and healthcare utilization between family caregivers of advanced cancer patient and general population. METHODS: Data of 158 family caregivers were obtained from one oncologic clinic and from 3,775 Korean adults aged 40 years or older who participated in the Eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Propensity-score matching was employed to match family caregivers with general population (1:1). We assessed health behaviors and healthcare visit, cancer screening, and influenza vaccination among two groups. Further, we performed subgroup analysis to explore factors associated with health behaviors and healthcare utilization of family caregivers. RESULTS: After propensity-score matching, the proportion of individuals performing moderate to high-intensity physical activity (MVPA) of 500 METs or more was higher in the caregiver group (p = 0.004). Also, the proportion of cancer screenings over a two-year period was significantly lower in the family caregiver group compared to the non-caregiver group (62.1% versus 73.1%, p = 0.045). In subgroup analysis, family caregivers with higher HADS depression scores were less likely to engage in MVPA, while those with higher HADS anxiety scores showed a significant decrease in healthcare visits. Family caregivers who received social care/economic support had an increased aOR in healthcare visits for own health (aOR 0.18 95% CI 0.04-0.91). Moreover, caregivers who had high competency and rewards were more likely to engage in MVPA. CONCLUSIONS: The caregiver's has vulnerable aspects of and healthcare utilization, affected by their depression or anxiety. Social care/economic support was associated with improved health behavior and utilization of caregivers. Further studies for multi-dimensional support for caregivers’ health is needed. KEY MESSAGES: • Family caregivers, especially those with higher levels of depression or anxiety, face challenges in terms of their health and healthcare utilization. • Social care/economic support is crucial in improving their health behaviors and healthcare access.