A Study on the Factors Affecting Subjective Health Index of the Aged in Daejon Area

일부지역 노인들의 주관적 건강수준에 영향을 미치는 요인에 관한 연구

  • 민경진 (계명대학교 공중보건학과) ;
  • 김근조 (김천대학 물리치료) ;
  • 차춘근 (계명대학교 공중보건학과)
  • Published : 2001.06.01

Abstract

This research is aimed to define how the depression, performing ability of IADL and muscular-skeletal pain of the Aged, according to their residential circumstance, sex and age, can affect the subjective health index and how all these are related and associated with. For the period of June 1 to July 31, 2000, in order to study and define how the depression, performing ability of IADL and muscular-skeletal pain are related to the subjective health index of the Aged, we have conducted an enquete through a direct interview with 693 persons over age sixty-five (65) in Daejon and in other adjacent areas, divided into three different residential types “The Aged living at home”, “The Aged living at welfare facilities” and “The Aged living alone”. We have studied all the data and information obtained through this enquete and have analyzed χ²-test, t-test, ANOVA, analysis of simple correlation, analysis of factor. by SPSS10.0/PC+. The results were as follows: Generally, the four (4) factors depression, IADL performing ability, muscular-skeletal pain and the subjective health index of the Aged, are a lot influenced by and related to their residential circumstance, their sex and their age. With regard to the depression of the Aged by their sex, it was analyzed that, on an average, the female-Aged gains 48.3 point which reflects comparatively the higher points and the female-Aged is more depressed. In analyzing depression of the Aged by their age, it appears that the Aged between eighty (80) to eight-four (84) years of age, gains 49.2 point which is the highest points and simultaneously we could realize that depression follows age, - the more the age gets, the more the depression is increased. In analyzing depression of the Aged by their residential type, it shows that “the Aged living alone” gains 50.9 point and is most depressed. With regard to the IADL performance of the Aged by their sex, it was analyzed that, on an average, the female-Aged gains 23.8 point, which shows the performance of the female-Aged is less independent. In addition, it was also found that the IADL performing ability is becoming less and less independent following their age increasing. In analyzing IADL performance by their residential type, it appears that “the Aged living at welfare facilities” gains the lowest 21.5 point and is least independent. We conclude that some assistances from others are required for the Aged living at welfare facilities in their performing IADL. With regard to the muscular-skeletal pain of the Aged by their sex, it was analyzed that, on an average, the female-Aged gains 3.0 point and the female-Aged suffers from this pain more severely. In analyzing this pain by their residential type, it was found that, on an average, the 3.0 point goes for “the Aged living alone”, which explains the Aged living alone is having the most serious pain. With regard to the subjective heath index of the all Aged participated in this research, the analysis indicates 8.8 point and this is considered as a general standard (7-10 point). In analyzing this index by their sex, the female-Aged gains 8.6 point only and it explains a lot of female-Aged consider they are not really healthy. In analyzing this index by their residential type, “the Aged living at welfare facilities” and “the Aged living alone” gain the comparatively lower point, -respectively 8.4 point for the Aged living at welfare facilities and 8.8 point for the Aged living alone. The Aged of these two residential types express they are obviously in a bad condition of health, which makes us think a lot. With regard to the factors affecting the subjective health index of the Aged, it was analyzed that this index can significantly be influenced by their depression, their pain, their age and by how much they are satisfied with their current living conditions, and also analyzed that the correlative relation certainly exists between the depression and pain, and the subjective health index, - that is, the more the depression and pain are serious, the lower the subjective health index indicates. As for the IADL, it appears that the IADL's relation with this index is not that significant and even not important.

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