Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing 2009;11(2):216-225.
노인의 성별에 따른 건강상태 영향요인
박경연
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify differences between elderly men and women for factors influencing perceived health status. Method: A convenience sample of 274 participants (male 65, female 209) was recruited from a community health center, a meeting hall for elders, and a park in a metropolitan city. Data were collected between December 2008 and July 2009, and were analyzed using Chi-square test, t-test, ANCOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Results The perceived health status of all the participants
was 2.72 out of a total score 5; and the score for depression was 7.17 out of a total score 15. ‘Muscle strength of lower extremities’ and ‘perceived economic status’ accounted for 30.1% of the variance in perceived health status of older men. On the other hand, the factors significantly influencing perceived health status of older women were ‘depression’, ‘presence of chronic disease’, and ‘muscle strength of lower extremities’, which explained 23.5% of the variance in the perceived health status. Conclusion The results indicate that factors influencing perceived health status are different for elderly men and elderly women. Therefore, it is recommended that the gender be considered in developing health care programs for elders.