Factors affecting death at home

ABSTRACT

This ecological study revealed the relationship between the percentage of death at home and medical and socioeconomic characteristics. This study was a secondary analysis of national data from the Population Survey Report in 2010 and government statistics in Japan. This data was analyzed by exploratory factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, medical and social characteristics are classified in three domains, “depopulation and aging”, “hospital and medical facility resources” and “access for home medical care”. By multiple linear regression analysis using results of exploratory factor analysis, cancer death was associated with “access for home medical care” and death from all causes was associated with “hospital and medical facility resources” and “access for home medical care”. In conclusion, death at home in cancer patients was strongly affected by “access for home medical care”. Death at home from all causes was due to poor hospital and medical facility resources and good access to home medical.