Health and Medical Sociology

Biography

Biography: Ching-Min Chen

Abstract

Title: The Association between Health Seeking Behavior and Social Involvement of Older Adults in Taiwan This study utilized the cross-sectional design and stratified random sampling method to explore the relationship between population characteristic, social participation and utilization of health seeking behavior among older adults in Tainan, Taiwan. A structured questionnaire based on the Anderson behavior model was developed with acceptable reliability and validity. A total of 867 participated through telephone interview. Subjects’ average age was 73.1±6.83 years old, and there were 48.3% elderly not even enhanced any social activities, while the highest participation rates was leisure activities (55.2%), and the lowest one was learning activities (11%). The western medical services was the most common utilized health seeking behavior in the case of suffering from chronic diseases (95.74%), acute illness (colds, diarrhea) (87.56%), or acute symptoms (joint or muscle sprain) (70.97%). The “living area” and “the total number of disease” in population characteristics and “political participation”in social participation were the most frequent factors predicting health seeking behavior. Subjects with higher income and participated in leisure activities, political activities, and work activities also had a higher tendency of pluralistic health seeking behavior. While almost half of the older adults have not participated in any activities, we suggested that stakeholders should design the diverse activities in considering local features by engaging the elderly. Through the development of creative, independent, or even productive social activities, we might improve the participation of the elderly, and to enhance their health and a better later life. (Up to 250 words)