Hygeia Public Health 2016, 51(2): 202-208en

Evaluation of health behaviours of individuals aged over 60 years

Ewa Kupcewicz, Agnieszka Gontarz, Barbara Wilk, Małgorzata Kuśmierczyk

Olsztyńska Szkoła Wyższa im. Józefa Rusieckiego

Summary
Introduction. An assessment of health behaviour may be used to evaluate the needs regarding health education of individuals aged over 60 years and to modify their lifestyle as a result of conducted educational activities.
Aim. The determination of health behaviours of individuals aged over 60 years and the evaluation of the impact of selected sociodemographic factors on selection of these behaviours.
Material & method. The research was conducted in the 1st quarter of 2015 in the group of 110 patients aged over 60 years who used medical services of the Clinical University Hospital in Olsztyn. To determine the variables a self-constructed questionnaire and Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI) by Z. Juczyński were used.
Results. In the researched group, the general ratio of health behaviour intensity ranged from 31 to 119 points, and its mean value reached 79.85±20.77 with the median of 79. After transforming into sten units, the results within the range of 1-4 sten (low) were scored by 43% of the subjects, 7-10 sten (high) were scored by 39% whereas the results of 5-6 sten were interpreted as average and were obtained by 18% of the subjects. The analysis has shown that the variables such as age, education, socio-occupational activity and material situation of the subjects had a statistically significant impact on formation of health behaviours in the category of proper eating habits, health behaviours and health practices. Education and socio-occupational status of the subjects determined their health behaviours in the category of positive mental attitude.
Conclusion. The intensity of health behaviours in the researched group may be evaluated as average. The individuals aged over 71years as well as those with higher education and retired had a greater intensity of health behaviours in the group of subjects.

Key words:  health, health behaviours, the elderly