The effectiveness of a community-based health promotion program for rural elders: a quasi-experimental design.
OBJECTIVE
A community-based health promotion program (CBHP) might be beneficial for the elderly, but evidence is limited. We therefore examined the effect of a CBHP on change of lifestyle, physiological indicators and depression score among seniors in 2 rural areas.


METHODS
A prospective quasi-experimental design involved a total of 520 senior participants living in 6 rural villages, who were clustered and conveniently assigned to 2 intervention groups. Senior nursing students were the interveners for group 1 and community peer supporters for group 2. The primary outcome measure was the change in health-related behavior measured on the geriatric health promotion scale (GHPS). The secondary outcome comprised changes in the short form of the Chinese geriatric depression scale (CGDS-15), fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, waist circumference and blood pressure. Paired-t test and analysis of covariance were used for statistical inspection.


RESULTS
Most of the participants were retired farmers or fishermen >75years of age who had little education. The total scores and all subscales of GHPS, along with some physiological indicators, improved significantly between pretest and post-test in both groups. After adjustment for confounders, intervention in group 1 was more effective than that in group 2 regarding self-protection behaviors. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower in group 2.


CONCLUSIONS
CBHP programs are valuable for improving healthy lifestyle, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure and depression score among seniors. The low cost and effectiveness of incorporating multidisciplinary resources to help rural elders to maintain a healthy status and a healthier lifestyle.
Geriatric Department, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Jeng
J
Wang
Chang Gung University of Science and Technology.
Chu-Yeh
CY
Chen
Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Li-Ju
LJ
Lai
Nursing Department, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology.
Min-Li
ML
Chen
Graduate Institute of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology. Electronic address: meiyen@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
Mei-Yen
MY
Chen
D000368:Aged; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D013624:Taiwan
Community based; Health promotion; Lifestyle; Nursing; Seniors