Health Preparation for Retirement among Community Hospitals Registered Nurses in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand

Abstract

The elderly health promotion is an important issue as the elderly population ratio is increasing continuously, community registered nurse (RNs) as a health professional play an important role in health promotion, and they may experienced occupational related health problems in their elderly period after retirement. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of health preparation for retirement among the community hospital registered nurses (RNs) including identifying the factors related to health preparation thereof. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in September, 2010.  Total of 327 samples were included in the study using a systematic sampling from hospital nurse name lists. A self-administered questionnaire were developed from literature review and validated by 3 experts. Descriptive statistics, i.e. frequency, mean, median and inferential statistics, i.e. bivariate, multiple logistic regression data were used in the analysis. The response rate to questionnaire was 100%. The prevalence of health preparation for retirement was 45.3% (95%CI 39.80, 50.83).  Most samples indicated good spiritual health while social health was at the lowest. The factors related to health preparation for retirement hereby were identified as 1) age, 2) self-rated health, 3) good attitude of value of health preparation to retirement and 4) that attitude of readiness. Less than half of samples demonstrated health preparation for retirement in all 4 dimensions. However, more than half of them required health preparation for retirement promotion and also required encouragement to improve related factors to increase the prevalence.