An investigation of health behaviors in elderly Amis and Han Chinese in an eastern Taiwan community.

• Main Authors: I-hua Feng, 馮宜華
• Other Authors: Ching-yi Kao
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/07943625562309254639

碩士 === 慈濟大學 === 公共衛生學系碩士班 === 99 === Taiwan has entered an era of ageing society in the 1990s. This phenomenon can be observed both in Han and indigenous populations. With the increase in ageing population, government needs to pay close attention to the relevant health issues. An effective way to alleviate the burden caused by ageing is the promotion of health behaviour among the elderly. The concept of health behaviour refers to behaviours that improve health and prevent disease, such as exercise and healthy diet, or quitting smoking, respectively. Literature has shown that some demographic factors, i.e. age, gender, etc. and health status are significantly associated with health behaviours and that psycho-social factors play a crucial role in altering these behaviours. The aims of this study were: 1.to investigate the health behaviours (exercise, diet, smoking, drinking, chewing betel nut) in the elderly Amis and Han Chinese and to examine the differences of behavioural patterns in these two groups. 2. to explore psycho-social factors affecting these behaviours. The study’s site was Dong-Chang Village in Chian county, Hualien. Residents aged 65 years above were randomly recruited. 160 residents participated in the study, 80 from each ethnic group. Data was collected employing both structured and semi-structured interview. Some participants, according to the patterns of their health behaviours were be invited to take part in the 2nd stage of the study and Semi-structured interviews were used to explore their attitude towards these behaviours. The results of the study indicate that while the two ethnic groups in health-promoting behaviours the Amis group exhibited more alcohol consumption and a higher rate of betel-nut chewing both in frequency and amount while the two groups have no difference in smoking, exercise and dietary habits. Regarding the factors that influence health behaviours gender and SES are the ones influencing regular exercise while age and chronic illness number are factors influencing healthy diet in the Amis group. Gender influences both groups in smoking, drinking and chewing betel nut behaviours. It was found in the quantitative results that gender was significantly associated health behaviour especially in Amis, the quality interview therefore explored the difference of attitudes towards and difficulty in these 5 types of behaviour. It was shown that Amis females reported less diverse opinions and identified more difficulties regarding health behaviour. In addiction, Amis females had the highest consumption of betel nut found in the quantitative results. The symbolic meaning of betel nut in Amis ceremonies may have increased its acceptance among females, which in turn increase their daily consumption. There results can help shape future health interventions in these populations in a manner that will provide the highest rate of benefit from the interaction of health workers and the community.