The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #37201

George Shuster, DNSc, RN, Dorothy Hendel Clough, PhD, RN, and Patricia Higgins, PhD, RN. university of new mexico: college of nursing, nursing pharmacy building, albuquerque nm, NM 87131, 505-272-5612, gshuster@salud.unm.edu

Introduction. Self-care health behaviors and their relationship with health are the focus of this survey of elderly Hispanic women. For most people, self-care behaviors are an important part of remaining independent . This study involves elderly Hispanic women who have lived in the U.S. for most of their adult lives. The specific purpose of the study was to identify their health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention behaviors and to test the relationship between these behaviors and health status.

Research Design. The design involved a cross-sectional study using a random sample of elderly Hispanic women over 55 (N=132). The researchers hypothesized that women with a higher frequency of self-care behaviors would also have higher general and specific physical and mental health levels.

Results. Results indicated that the majority of these women did engage in a number of self-care behaviors. Hypothesis testing indicated specific types of health behaviors influenced specific areas of health but not overall physical health. However, those who practiced more self-care behaviors also had an improved general mental health status.

Conclusions . The elderly population is growing rapidly and public health nursing is involved in a variety of ways with elderly community residents. Good self-care behaviors are a key for maintaining health in this population. The results of this study provide data about where public health nurses can focus their efforts among elderly Hispanic women.

Learning Objectives:

• Learning Objectives
• 1. Identify the relationship between health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention behaviors and physical health.
• 2. .Identify the relationship between health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention behaviors and mental health.
• 3. Prioritize the most important areas of self care for public health nurses to focus on among elderly Hispanic women based on the results of this study.

Keywords: Health, Hispanic

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.