FACTORS RELATED TO SELF-CARE ABILITY AMONG ELDERLY WOMEN IN SEMI-URBAN COMMUNITIES, KHON KAEN, THAILAND

Abstract

This research study aims to describe factors related to self-care ability among elderly women
in semi-urban communities around Khon Kaen, Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted on an
elderly woman over 60 years old in the Banped Municipality of Khon Kaen, Thailand. From 317 participants
268 valid questionnaires were received. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling method.
Study measurements used interview questionnaire constructs included self-care ability, demographics,
chronic disease, health status and mental health. Descriptive statistics, i.e. frequency, percentage, mean,
standard deviation (S.D.), median and interquartile range (IQR) were conducted to describe initial results.
Furthermore, inferential statistics for bivariate analysis, chi-square, odds ratio and multivariate analysis using
multiple logistic regression, were performed. The self-care ability level of all individual participants was
assessed by the Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly (SASE). The individual’s mental health level was
assessed by the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (TGDS-15). After the results of the SASE were analyzed,
166 elders were found to have a high level of self-care ability while 102 elders had a low level of self-care
ability. Self-care ability was found to be highly associated with demographics, chronic disease, health status,
and mental health. Factors that were significantly related to a high level of self-care ability included age,
chronic disease, perceived health status, and mental health: depression (p-values < 0.05).