SELF-CARE ABILITY AMONG THE ELDERLY IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM: RECOMMENDATIONS ON HEALTH POLICY FOR ELDERLY CARE
Keywords:
Human Resources, Mekong Delta, Self-Care, Solutions, Training HealthAbstract
Background: Self-care is a cornerstone of a sustainable health system in support of Sustainable Development Goal 3. Limitations of self-care ability among the elderly in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam have been commonly observed. It needs to be identified to support them.
Objectives: This study aims to describe self-care ability and to recommend health policy for elderly care in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
Method: The study applied cross-sectional descriptive research. The subjects consist of 410 people aged 60+ living in Cantho City, the center of the Mekong Delta Region. Self-care Ability for the Elderly Scale was used. Data were analyzed using Minitab, of which t-test and ANOVA with a p-value of 0.05.
Results: The subjects showed an unsatisfactory self-care ability (SCA). The overall SCA mean score was 51.09 (range 8-78 scores) with differences in (1) Taking medications, (2) Recognizing and managing symptoms, (3) Daily living, and (4) Managing changes in condition, dependent on living area, age, education, and housing condition.
Conclusion and recommendations: Self-care ability among the elderly in the Mekong Delta is unsatisfactory. Appropriated self-care programs should be implemented, and public health nurses should be educated accordingly in Vietnam.
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