Promoting Self-Care among Elderly Attending Zagazig Social Club through a Health Education Intervention

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Lecturer of Community Health Nursing -Faculty of Nursing- Helwan University

2 Assistant Prof. of Community Health -Nursing Faculty of Nursing -Zagazig University

3 Professor of Community Health Nursing- Faculty of Nursing- Zagazig University

4 Professor of Community Medicine -Faculty of Medicine -Zagazig University

10.12816/0029305

Abstract

Background: Self-care for health promotion required that clients had the knowledge and
competencies needed to maintain and enhance health. The aim of the study; was to increase
old people's self care capabilities. Research design; quasi-experimental design was used.
Setting; this study conducted at geriatric social clubs at Zagazig city. Sample; composed of
120 elderly (60 client for the study group and 60 for the control group). Tools; two tools were
used in this study; first, an interview questionnaire to collect data about socio-demographic
characteristics of the study participants and their knowledge about self care, the second tool
was observational checklist for assessing their practice about certain items of self care. The
study results; revealed statistically significant improvements of the study group knowledge
and practice about self care and its elements, also hygienic practice and care of some
prevalence health problems faced the elderly after health education intervention. No
statistically significant relations detected between elderly knowledge and practice related to
self care among the control and the study group and their age, sex, residence, and level of
education.Conclusion; health education intervention increased elderly satisfactory level of
knowledge and adequate practice related to self care. The study recommended; implement
a follow up health education intervention about self care in all geriatric social clubs, and
booklet containing information about elderly self care should be available in the elderly social
club library.

Keywords