International forum for nursing and healthcare最新文献

The Philippines is transitioning into an aging population. This results in problems associated with the mental health of older people. However, despite studies of depression in later life, there has been limited literature on the experience of those from rural communities in low and middle-income countries. This study examines depression, stress and stress relief measures used, and living arrangements of older adults (≥ 60 years) living in rural areas in the Philippines and compares depressed older adults from those that are not depressed. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed using interviewer-assisted surveys. Convenience sampling was conducted to obtain data from 410 older people seeking care at rural health clinics across the Philippines. Data were analyzed through frequencies and chi-squares. Those who were depressed accounted for 11.5% of the respondents, while 77.1% reported some level of stress. Their stress relief measures included eating regularly (82.9%), exercise (64.6%), praying (62%), hanging out with friends and family (22%), and getting massages (7.3%). Around a third of respondents lived alone. For overall life stress, those who were not depressed reported that their lives were somewhat stressful, significantly higher than their depressed counterparts. Respondents who answered that work and money were their causes of stress showed significant differences compared to those who experienced no work or money-related stress. For stress relief measures, those who performed exercise and identified hanging out with friends and family as measures to maintain good wellbeing were significantly less likely to report depression. There were no differences among those living alone or older adults living with either adults, children, or both. Depression is an area of concern for community-dwelling older people in rural municipalities. The results of our study suggest the need to develop primary care services such as depression screening, health education and promoting healthy lifestyles, spirituality, stress management, and creating activities that will promote social interaction and maintain a social network.

Introduction: Moving individuals toward ideal cardiovascular health through adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors is critically important for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and other important health conditions. However, associations between health behaviors and risks for ASCVD is poorly understood among older adults (≥ 60 years) living in rural areas in the Philippines. Likewise, their access to healthcare and health-seeking practices are unknown.

Purpose: To 1) compare risk profiles of Filipinos at low- vs. moderate to high-risk for ASCVD; and 2)examine the relationships befiveen demographic variables, risk profiles, and health behaviors.

Methods: A convenient sample of 427 Filipinos (≥ 60 years old) were recruited to participate in this comparative, cross-sectional study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, risk profiles, and health behaviors (e.g., dietary patterns, physical activity, smoking status,and alcohol use)were collected.

Results: Of the 427 participants (mean age was 69.2± 6.7 years, primarily women [65%], married [52.8%]), 319 (75%) were at low-risk and 108 (25%) were at moderate to high-risk for ASCVD. Those at moderate to high-risk were more likely to have cardiometabolic diseases(e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and obesity, all p's < .001).Health behaviors did not differ between the two groups except for consumption of≥ 5 servings of fruit which was higher in the low-risk group.

Conclusion: Findings showed that there is highly consistent and convergent evidence that older Filipinos living in rural areas are at high risk for ASCVD and other health conditions. Much of this is attributable to the suboptimal implementation of prevention strategies, uncontrolled ASCVD risk factors, and poor access to effective and equitable healthcare services commonly observed in low-income countries. Clinicians, researchers, policy makers, and other stakeholders need to address these issues to improve primary and secondary prevention and disease management in this population.