Health Behavior and Quality of Life of the Elderly in Chiangyuen District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

This cross sectional survey aimed to reveal health behavior in terms of dietary consumption behavior, physical exercise, stress management and quality of life among 1,636 elderly people by multiple random sampling in Chiangyuen district, Mahasarakham province. The proven questionnaires were used as data collection tools. Data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results found that most of the participants were female (66.8%), young-old age (60-69 years) (53.9%), farmers (57.1%) and had monthly income lower than 1,000 baht (70.7%) and had body mass index in normal range (18.50-22.99 kg/m2) (37.0%). The participants had high levels of knowledge in hypertension, and diabetes mellitus at 69.4% and 77.5% respectively. Moreover, the participants had high levels of dietary consumption behavior, physical exercise, stress management and self-care practice at 77.4%, 44.6%, 65.2% and 61.9% respectively. There were five variables, including knowledge of hypertension, knowledge of diabetes mellitus, dietary consumption behavior, physical exercise and stress management which were significantly predictable factors contributing to explain quality of life among the elderly as shown as the formulation of Y=47.227+(0.377)+(0.333)+(0.463)+(0.155)+(0.175)X. This study indicates that there are several or multiple factors that effect on quality of life of the elderly. Therefore, related health care agencies or providers should consider these factors and cooperate in helping for enhancing health behavior and quality of life of the elderly.

Keywords

• health behavior
• quality of life