 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Yang Heui Ahn, PhD, RN, HHCN, Department of Nursing, Yonsei University at Wonju, Korea, #162 Ilsan-dong, Wonju, South Korea, 82 33 741 0383, ahn57@wonju.yonsei.ac.kr
The purpose of the study was to develop an integrated preventive program to strengthen elders’ self-care capability and to test its effectiveness on their psychological condition. This study was a one group pre- and post-test design. Subjects were 85 elderly residents (over 65 years of age) who lived alone, and received free basic medical care and social welfare services in a rural Korean community. Subject eligibility for this study was to 1) have not currently anti-depressant medication 2) be able to communicate 3) agree to participate in this study. The integrated program was composed of horticulture, reminiscence, and friendship activities. Twelve sessions for 12 weeks were provided in community-based partnerships to achieve better outcomes. The intervention was case-managed by a public health nurse and complimented by six volunteers. The main outcome variable was depression, which was assessed by using 15 items included in the Geriatric Depression Scale-short form Korean version. Socio-demographic factors, functional status, and satisfaction with social support were used as mediating factors. Results found that there was a more significant intervention effect at after intervention than before. Multiple linear regression analysis found significant interaction effects between intervention and satisfaction with social support. These findings must be interpreted within the context of an integrated program social support factors played synergistically to bring about the results. A community-based integrated preventive program is effective for vulnerable rural elderly. Randomized controlled trials within community setting for methodological strengths as well as multi-level outcome on community need to be conducted in future.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Outcomes, Rural Mental Health Services
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.