Factors Predicting Health Promotion Behaviors of Homebound Older Adults in Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research aimed to investigate factors predicting health promotion behaviors among homebound elders in Phitsanulok province. Sample consisted of 226 homebound elders in the central urban district of Phitsanulok province, selected by stratified random sampling. Sample was divided according to population proportion to distribute in every district. Research instrument was a questionnaire divided into six parts: 1) personal factors, 2) knowledge about homebound elders, 3) social support, 4) self – esteem, 5) community   participation, and 6) health promotion. Reliability by KR-20 of the homebound elders was at the 0.82 level. Reliability of questionnaire for social support, self-esteem, community participation and health promotion ​​were 0.83, 0.87, 0.97 and 0.91, respectively. The statistics were analyzed by number, frequency distribution, percentage, mean, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.

Results showed that factors predicting health promotion behaviors among homebound elders with statistical significance were: social support (β = 0.349), how to get to hospital (β = 0.235), self-esteem (β = 0.173), social position (β = 0.143), congenital blood lipids (B = 0.173), knowledge of elderly (β = - 0.145) , information exposure (β = 0.119), congenital heart disease (β = 0.116), marriage status (β = 0.112) and community participation (β =0.105), which could, respectively, predict 62.2 percent (0.622) at the level of P-value<0.05. Public health workers or related agencies should have a design of activities to promote health among homebound elders for a better quality of life and preventing bed ridden in the future.