DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC13.50
Authors: Payao Phongsakchat, Pudsadee Korjedee, Jiraporn Cheanchum, Prapas Tana and Siritorn Yingrengreung
Abstract:
Health problems concerning Thai elderly have increased with the aging of the population, and the development of health promotion at the local community level is a continuing process. The purpose of the foregoing study was to foster networking and partnerships among healthcare personnel, organizations, and local communities and to promote the health of elderly people using local wisdom at Ban Ton Tan community, Saraburi Province. Participants were 50 elderly people aged > 60, members of the Senior Citizens Club and 50 health personnel, Village health volunteers, and representatives of local government at the Ban Ton Tan community. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to assess health status, health behavior, and healthcare needs of the elderly and obtain related information about the community. The top three health problems found were hypertension (29.54{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}), muscle and joint pain (11.36{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}), and high cholesterol (3.40{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}), whereas the top three healthcare needs were health examinations (54.54{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}), obtaining knowledge and recommendations concerning disease and illnesses (31.83{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}), and health promotion activities in the community (3.63{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}). Researchers signed a memorandum of cooperation with the residents, community health workers, and local governments; outlined the plan to improve health of the elderly; and conducted several training sessions for health volunteers and community leaders at the Ban Ton Tan Community between March 2011 and February 2012.
Keywords: community, elderly, health
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