Health Status of the Elderly People of Yasouj, Iran, 2008

Aging is a biological process influenced by biological, physiological, social and environmental factors. This study was conducted to determine the health status of elderly people resident in Yasouj, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Yasouj during 2008. A number of 428 people, aged over 60, were selected based on cluster and random sampling. A researcher made questionnaire, based on existing literatures and current studies, was designed in four domains known as activities of daily living (ADL), physical health, psycho-spiritual health and status of socio-economic. Its content validity, face validity and reliability were reviewed and confirmed. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software version 17 using descriptive statistics such as frequency, tables, the central and dispersion statistical indicators as well as inferential statistics like independent t-test with considering α= 0.5. In this study, the total mean scores of four domains of health were 106.63 ± 6.49 (range 82-134), which has 99 percent of their health status were totally described as moderate. Based on four areas of health status, the mean score of activities of daily living, physical health, psycho-spiritual health and socio-economic status were 23.72± 4 (range 16-34), 25.40± 3.21(range 13-34), 34.03± 4.71 (range 14-46) and 23.71± 4.20 with range of 15-37, respectively. Compared mean scores of activities of daily living and psycho-spiritual health showed significant statistical differences according to age groups and sex variables. Health status of the majority of elderly people in this study was moderate which require further attention and holistic support from the family, community, and health authorities in the field.