title: Factors influencing physical activity in institutionalized elderly patients with leprosy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The nursing literature has devoted little attention to the long-term influence of infectious diseases and the subsequent rehabilitation needs of the affected patients. This study was conducted to identify the factors associated with physical activity (PA) in older institutionalized adults with leprosy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional research design was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 248 subjects (75.28 ± 8.64 years old) were analyzed. We found that fewer subjects in PA compared to older adults in general. Amputation, fear of falling (FF), the ability to perform activities of daily living, and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were the influencing factors of PA. Doing laundry, preparing a meal, taking medicines, and making telephone calls accounted for 23.4% of the PA variance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest incorporating FF in the psychosocial indicators of the mobility assessment. The importance of promoting or maintaining four specific IADL abilities and participating in PA for leprosy patients living in a sanatorium is emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Chi-Shan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan, Kashsiung City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shun Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Fu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: In Tang
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: I Ju
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li Ling
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D007918:Leprosy / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods*