Factors of Health Promotion Behaviour (HPB) and Elderly Health Diseases in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the fast decline in fertility and increase in longevity (due to better health care and improved living conditions) have contributed to a rapid aging population growth. The lack of Health promotion behaviours, healthcare knowledge and awareness among the elderly has led to the increase of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (such as Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Hypercholesterolemia, Minor Stroke, Kidney Failure and Heart Problem). These illnesses have killed over 1000 elderly people over the years, and the number has significantly increased. Despite several initiatives taken by the government to tackle the issues, a large group of elderly are yet to benefit from the health campaign. Since the aging population is expected to rise in the future, it equally significant for the government to prepare proper measure to tackle the phenomenon in the coming years. This study, therefore, is to investigate the effect of factors of HPB on elderly health disease in Malaysia. The factors of HPB are measured in 6 aspects, namely, healthy eating, exercise, stress management, interpersonal relations, health responsibility and spiritual growth. A set of 520 survey questionnaires was distributed and collected from respondents located in Perak, Malacca, Penang and Selangor. The statistical analysis result is analysed by using SmartPLS Software 3.0. The data analysis implicated that, elderly health disease is significantly affected by the factors of HPB (healthy eating, exercise, Interpersonal relationship and health responsibility). Therefore, findings suggest that adequate policies for HPB programs is necessary to encourage the practices of healthy eating, exercise, good interpersonal relationship and health responsibility, among the elderly.