Effectiveness of a Nursing Student-led Comprehensive Health Promotion Program for Rural Older Adults: Toward Community-based Learning

Abstract

Objectives This study investigates the effects of a nursing student-led comprehensive health-promotion program for rural older adults on perceived health, depression, cognitive function, and life satisfaction.
 Methods A non-equivalent control group pre-post study design was adopted, and rural older adults aged 65 years and over were divided into the experimental (n=41) and control group (n=31). The experimental group underwent a comprehensive health-promotion program once-a-week for six weeks. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 statistical program, and the differences in subjective health, depression, cognitive function, and life satisfaction between the experimental and control groups after the program were tested by independent t-test, and reliability was analyzed by Cronbach's α.
 Results There were no significant differences in perceived health, depression, cognitive function, and life satisfaction at baseline between the two groups. After the program, there was a significant difference in life satisfaction between the control and experimental groups, and no significant difference in subjective health, depression, or cognitive function; however, the pre-post paired t-test for life satisfaction in the experimental group was not statistically significant.
 Conclusions A comprehensive program developed based on the needs of rural elders was an partially effective nursing intervention in increasing life satisfaction. The findings of this study may be useful in developing effective nursing student-led health promotion programs and interventions for rural older adults. In addition, this study suggests the possibility of nursing student-led health promotion programs centered on community-based learning as an alternative health service.