Scholarly record

HEALTH PROMOTION IN THE OLD AGE AS A DIMENSION OF HEALTH LITERACY

Lenka Motlova, I. Brabcova, L. Sedova, H. Hajduchova, S. Bartlova

Abstract

Background: Health and health promotion in the old age are one of the hot topic both in association with the ageing population and in the context of providing complex health care of the elderly, not only in the Czech Republic. Health promotion in the old age, as one of the dimensions of health literacy, relates (1) to getting and understanding the health-related information, (2) to the ability to take care of one`s own health, and (3) to reducing the inequality in the approach to health in the elderly population. Aim: The aim of the quantitative study was to describe the level of health literacy in the elderly above 65 years old living in the South Bohemian region, CZ, using health promotion as one of the health literacy dimensions in the old age. Methods: In 2017, a quantitative research strategy using a standardized HLSQ16 questionnaire, a shortened version containing 16 questions, was chosen. The stratified choice (quota choice) was based on two criteria – sex and age. Pearson`s chi-squared test and Independence Test were used for the analysis, according to the number of characters and number of observations. The data analysis was performed using the SPSS and SASD software. Results: The results related to 326 respondents. The seniors were chosen from various parts of the South Bohemian Region (districts of ?eské Bud?jovice, ?eský Krumlov, Jind?ich?v Hradec, Písek, Prachatice, Strakonice and Tábor). The criteria included the age (65+), permanent address in the South Bohemian Region, absence of a cognitive disorder and life in an independent household. The survey discovered inadequate health literacy in 23.2% and marginal (problematic) health literacy in 37.8% of the respondents. Adequate health literacy was found in 39.1% of the respondents. Conclusion: The study shows that it is desirable to improve health literacy in elderly men and women, as far as health promotion is concerned. On one hand, the elderly need to have sufficient health promotion information and knowledge, and, on the other hand, they need to be actively involved in the care of their own health and to learn how to apply the knowledge and skills in their own life. This research was supported by resources assigned for the development of science and research of the Faculty of Health and Social Science of the University of South Bohemia in ?eské Bud?jovice, No. ZGO2016_001.

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