Health Behavior among Elderly in Huey Chinsri Municipal, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

The objectives of this study were examining the level of health behavior of elderly and identify the relationship between demographics data (e.g., gender, age, income and comorbid diseases) and health behavior (e.g., dietary health behavior, exercise, self-care behavior and stress management) in elderly. In this cross-sectional study, the total of 160 elderly in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand was selected by quotation sampling with the method as probability-free selection of the sample. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and Chi Square test to examine the relationship between demographics data and health behavior in elderly. Findings showed the elderly had moderate level of health behavior score as 0.93 ± 0.43 (mean ± SD.). Demographic data showed the relationship with dietary health behavior included gender (p =.005), age (p = .007), monthly income (p < .001), and underlying disease (p = .016). In summary, the health behavior of the elderly could be improved by promoting the dietary health behavior, exercising behavior, self-care behavior and stress management behavior. Moreover, according to the moderate level of health behavior observed, it is recommended that healthcare providers should be aware of the benefits of health promoting behaviors to slow down the deterioration of the elderly's health, maintain good health and lead happiness in the rest of life.