Health responsibilities of an aging Thai male workforce.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the health responsibilities of an aging Thai male workforce and its related factors.


METHODS
A descriptive study was conducted with 417 male workers aged 45-60 who were working in 4 regions of Thailand. Data were collected between October 2004 and February 2005 using self-administered questionnaires. Health responsibility was measured at the frequency of the participants personal health practices relating to the health seeking, participation in health promoting activities, and having health check-ups. Statistical analyses used were percentage, mean, and multiple regression analysis.


RESULTS
Results showed that subjects had health responsibility at moderate level (Mean = 17.2 +/- 4.7). Lowest mean of health responsibility was found in participation in health promotion activities/club area (Mean = 1.9 +/- 1.0). Social support, perceived health status, and monthly income (p < 0.05) altogether could explain 17.7% of variance in health responsibility.


CONCLUSIONS
Health responsibility of an aging workforce should be enhanced through support from family, friends, and co-workers.
Kalampakorn
Surintorn
S
Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. phskl@mahidol.ac.th
Kaewpan
Wonpen
W
Luksamijarulkul
Pipat
P
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D004651:Employment; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010465:Perception; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand