Factors Influencing the Practice of Respiratory Infection Prevention for the Elderly in Rural Areas

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to identify the factors influencing the practice of respiratory infection prevention (RIP) for the elderly residing in rural areas.METHODS: The data were collected from 188 residents aged 65 years or older residing in the jurisdictions of four public health clinics in rural areas of C city, using a structured questionnaire for the period from December 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019. The collected data were analyzed with independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 25.0 program.RESULTS: The score on knowledge of RIP was 8.82±1.36, while it was 4.53±0.47 for attitude, 3.78±0.66 for practice, and 3.78±0.69 for social capital. It was observed that the factors influencing the practice of RIP were attitude of RIP (β=.38, p < .001), social capital (β=.29, p < .001), family type (β=−.19, p=.002), and subjective health status (β=.15, p=.035), while the explanatory power of the model was 47%.CONCLUSION: Consequently, to enhance the practice of RIP for the elderly residing in rural areas, it is necessary to develop programs considering social and environmental characteristics of rural areas based on their attitude of RIP, social capital, family type and subjective health status.