ABSTRACT
Objective: A crosssectional
survey research aimed at studying factors
influencing health promoting behaviors (HPB) of the elderly under the
universal coverage program. Materials and methods: The sample
group was 341 elderly in Buriram Province. A multistage
sampling
technique was used to select the sample. Data were collected by using
interview questionnaire during 17 31
October, 2005 and were analyzed
by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s Product
Moment Correlation and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results:
The results showed that 53.7% of the elderly had HPB at moderate level
and 30.2% had HPB at high level. Factors significantly predicting HPB
among the elderly were having occupation, knowledge score on HPB,
having current illness for one month, experience obtaining knowledge or
information on HPB from health personnel, and social support from
family. These factors were able to predict HPB of the elderly correctly
42.1%. Conclusion: From these findings, the authors recommend
health providers to promote elderly HPB in all communities by giving
knowledge on HPB through various means, enhancing social support
from family and paying attention to unemployed groups to encourage
them in daily practice of HPB.