Factors associated with leisure activities of elderly residents in rural areas.

Erica De Brito Pitilin,Adriana Remião Luzardo,Maicon Henrique Lentsck,Aline Massaroli,Tatiane Baratieri,Vanessa Aparecida Gasparin

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0600

Abstract

To identify factors associated with leisure activities of elderly residents in rural areas. Quantitative cross-sectional study carried out with 258 elderly living in the rural area of Paraná. The collection instrument addressed sociodemographic, economic, and self-reported leisure activities. The association between variables and leisure activities was verified by means of bivariate and multivariate analysis. Among the elderly interviewed, 63.9% were female, and 36.1% were male, with an average of 68.3 years old (± 5.8 years). Participation in leisure activities was high (79.8%), and the factors associated with their practice were: marital status, gender, and education. Considering that the practice of leisure activities promotes better living and health conditions, we reinforce the need to implement actions and instruments that provide individual and collective leisure in rural areas.

Highlights

METHODSDespite being a natural process, population aging does not occur homogeneously for all individuals; it is associated with the conditions of life and health experienced
All aspects were defined as independent variables concerning the outcome of the study, separately
The statistical calculation performed to test the association between independent variables, and leisure activity was the bivariate analysis at each level of determination

Summary

Introduction

METHODSDespite being a natural process, population aging does not occur homogeneously for all individuals; it is associated with the conditions of life and health experienced. Pathological, psychological, social, cultural, environmental, and economic nature significantly influence the quality of life of the elderly and in a particular way depending on the environment in which they live - urban or rural[1]. It is believed that in rural areas, there is a natural potential for the elderly’s vulnerability due to difficulties in accessing means of communication, transportation, leisure, and health services, due to the scarcity in these locations and the distance to travel to urban areas[2,3]. According to the Organic Law of Health, in addition to access to essential goods and services, other determinants influence the health levels of the population, including access to leisure[4], which represents an increasingly researched and constitutes a basic human need and social right[5]. It is a favorable moment to develop training or information in an unconcerned way, voluntary social participation, or free creative capacity, after freeing of professional, family, and social obligations[6]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion