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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
R. Turner Goins, PhD1, Kimberly Williams, PhD2, and Tatiana Solovieva, MA1. (1) Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Center on Aging, PO Box 9127, Medical Center Annex, Morgantown, WV 26506, (304) 293-3129, rgoins@hsc.wvu.edu, (2) Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, PO Box 9820, Morgantown, WV 26506
Little is known about the health beliefs of older rural Appalachians. In order to gain more insight into how rural elderly residing in the heart of Appalachia define health and healthy lifestyle, thirteen focus groups were conducted during spring 2001 in six West Virginia communities. There were 101 community-dwelling focus group participants. Participants were recruited via announcements on local radio, news stations and with printed information in local newspapers, church bulletins, and senior centers. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Information provided by participants during the open-ended focus group discussions was complemented with a short structured survey instrument. Participant’s age ranged from 61 to 93, with 78% of the sample female, 98% white, and 47% high school graduates. Main discussion themes included the definition of health, things that contribute to good or poor health, and what constitutes a healthy or an unhealthy lifestyle. The qualitative data were managed using QSR N5 software. Several areas identified by participants in defining health included, the absence of pain and disease, not taking prescription medications, having good friends, having a purpose in life, and having a relationship with God. Several themes emerged regarding the aspects that capture the notion of healthy living or a healthy lifestyle which included: clean living, staying busy, learning new things, helping others, staying right with God, having a positive attitude, and maintaining a balance of activities and behaviors.
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn about
Keywords: Aging, Health Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.