Self-care behaviors related to COVID-19 among Iranian elderly with and without a history of infection

Saeed Khayat Kakhki; Shahzad Pashaeypoor; Reza Negarandeh; Leila  Sadeghmoghadam

doi:10.18502/npt.v10i2.12836

Saeed Khayat Kakhki Department of Gerontological Nursing, School of Nursing, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
Shahzad Pashaeypoor Department of Community Health and Geriatric Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Reza Negarandeh Department of Community Health and Geriatric Nursing, Nursing, and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Leila Sadeghmoghadam Department of Gerontological Nursing, School of Nursing, Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/npt.v10i2.12836

Keywords: self-care behaviors; elderly; COVID-19

Abstract

Background & Aim: Adopting self-care behaviors is considered an important factor in the prevention of COVID-19. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate Self-Care Behaviors Related to COVID-19 among Iranian elderly with and without a history of infection.

Methods & Materials: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 324 elderlies in Iran in 2021. Eligible seniors were selected by convenience sampling and placed into two groups: the elderly with a history of COVID-19 and the elderly without it. The data collection tools included the demographic form and the questionnaire on self-care behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data analysis was done with SPSS software version 25 using descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney u-test and independent t-test).

Results: 165 men (50.90%) and 159 women (49.10%) participated in this study. The mean age of the participants was 70.60 ± 8.73. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the self-care behaviors of the elderly with a history of COVID-19 and those without it; the elderly with a history of COVID-19 had more favorable self-care behaviors (p<0.001).

Conclusion: A history of COVID-19 results in better self-care behaviors. It can be justified by constructs of the health beliefs model, including perceived susceptibility, severity, and treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to improve self-care behaviors by using the experiences of infected elders in health education to influence the above mention constructs.