Overview

Caregivers’ own physical health is often measured as body mass index, hemoglobin, or illness in population-based surveys, including the DHS. It is important to include perceived health, which can be defined as their own health and energy level to do daily activities, including caregiving. Health and energy levels impact caregivers’ ability to provide nurturing care, as well as children’s health, nutrition, and development, yet there is a dearth of evidence for caregivers themselves. One study that assessed caregivers’ perceived physical health and child nutritional status found that caregivers who perceived themselves to be in better health had children with better linear growth outcomes at 12 months of age, compared with caregivers who perceived themselves with worse health.

Perceived physical health can be measured through eight health concepts: physical functioning, role limitations caused by physical health problems, role limitations caused by emotional problems, social functioning, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, pain, and general health perceptions.

Measures

• Perceived Physical Health Survey (adapted RAND Health Survey) (11 items)