Abstract
Background: Old age is the period of life when people suffer from a variety of degenerative
conditions.
Objectives: This study investigates a population of over-60s in a rural Thai province to
examine the relationships between living alone, health-related behaviours and incidence of
chronic illness.
Methods: This study was descriptive study. All of population were purposively selected in
this study included 572 of over-60s , who had presented for treatment during January 7 to
August 6, 2011 at five community “health promotion” hospitals in Kong Krailat district, in
Thailand. The research employed a purpose-designed structured interview. Possible
associations between presence of healthy and unhealthy behaviours and reported health status
were examined using logistic regression analysis and odds ratios (OR), confidence intervals
(CI), and chi-square results were calculated.