J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2008 Mar;19(1):57-65.

Heath Promotion Priorities of Older Adults in a Rural Community

• Lee BY
• Jo HS
• Lee HJ
• Yoo S

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to assess the priorities of health promotion for older adults in the rural community. The study attempts to display demographic characteristics subjective health status and chronic diseases status of the older adults.
METHODS
We surveyed 384 senior residents in a community via face-to-face interviews in their homes, who were selected by proportional random sampling. We analysed the frequency, multiple responses and chi2 by SPSS 12.0K.
RESULTS
The mean of subjective health status was 54.04+/-21.69 with a maximum of 100. Our study found that the high priorities in health promotion for older adults were prevention and management of hypertension and diabetes, strengthening of joint and muscles, cancer screening and physical exercise. Prevention of depression and social activities were low priorities. Strengthening of joints and muscles was a high priority among women while smoking cessation and social activities were high priorities of men.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, health promotion priorities of older adults differed by gender and subjective health status. Disease-related priorities received more attention than psycho-social health priorities. This study suggests comparing the priorities regionally and nationally.

Keyword

Community; Older Adults; Health Promotion; Priorities

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Chronic Disease
Depression
Early Detection of Cancer
Exercise
Female
Health Priorities
Health Promotion
Humans
Hypertension
Joints
Male
Muscles
Rural Population*
Smoking Cessation