ABSTRACT
This study aimed to enhancing optimal life capacity for the elders by reducing morbidiy and mortality rates from chest infections. This study carried out in two settings as follows: chest department and chest out patient clinic of Minia University hospital and Minia Chest Hospital in Minia Governorate. The sample included 250 elderly patients. Suffering from chest infection. Data was collected in a period of 6 months starting from September 2009 to the end of February 2010.Three tools were used in this study. First tool; is an interview questionnaire schedule included personal characteristics, and medical data and the elderly patients awareness regarding chest infection disease and risk factors of recurrent chest infection. Results of this study illustrated that [45.2%] of the studied sample aged between [60< 75ys]. The mean age +/- SD was [70.7 +/- 9.92]. Also [60%] of the studied sample were males. [67.2%], illiterate. [34.0%] of the studied sample were farmers, [56.4%] had overcrowded index and [76.7%] of males were currently cigarette smokers. The source of indoor air pollution in present study was oven [50%], followed by Coal, wood smoke [33.6%]. Moreover the highest frequency of outdoor air pollution the result illustrated that car exhaust [34.4%], followed by oven smoke [18.0%]. Also [85.6%] had negative awareness score regarding chest infection disease and [90.4%] had negative awareness score regarding risk factors of recurrent chest infection.[100%] of illiterate studied sample had negative score of awareness regarding risk factors. The study, showed that [97.7%] who live in rural areas and had negative awareness regarding chest infection. The study recommended that. Patients with chest infection should be educated about good hygiene, home ventilation, measures necessary to prevent further transmission, importance of compliance to the course of treatment, and the balanced diet. This can be achieved through mass media, health classes in different health agencies