[Different attitudes towards hypertension and urinary tract incontinence in elderly individuals participating in a health promotion project].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate health associated attitudes of elderly individuals taking part in a community based health promotion programme. It was of interest to focus on mobility, hypertension and urinary incontinence, problems frequently observed in geriatrics.


METHODS
Participants in the health promotion programme were asked to answer a standardized questionnaire about their individual risk factors and habits concerning some of the main risk factors in the elderly: social isolation, immobility, hypertension, urinary incontinence. Mobility and risk assessment for falls was assessed in a standardized way using the Chair-rising- and Timed-upand-go tests.


RESULTS
The percentage of people with a healthy life style was significantly higher than in a comparable population group. Gait disturbance, mobility limitation and risk of falls were not present. 38.7 % suffered from urinary incontinence. Hypertension was, if present, diagnosed and adequately treated. The participants knew their prescribed drugs and seemed to have an excellent compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
The participants in the health promotion programme showed an exceptionally high level of health awareness. Nevertheless, the incidence for reported urinary incontinence was significantly higher than in known epidemiological studies. The calm, reassuring atmosphere in which the questionnaire was completed and the large amount of time spent with the participants could explain this finding. The difference in dealing with hypertension and urinary incontinence is obvious. Further health promotion and disease prevention programmes for the elderly should be focused on the complex process of ageing and not only on specific single topics.
Pils
Katharina
K
Institut für Physikalische Medizin und Rehabilitation, Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Interdisziplinäre Rehabilitation in der Geriatrie, SMZ-Sophienspital Wien, Wien, Austria. katharina.pils@wienkav.at
Neumann
Friederike
F
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001317:Austria; D001364:Awareness; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology