The Association between the Self-Management of Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life of Elderly Populations in Rural Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Ryuichi Ohta,Jun Kitayuguchi,Mikiya Sato,Chiaki Sano,Tetsuhiro Maeno

doi:10.3390/ijerph18168857

Abstract

Maintaining people’s health based on their help-seeking behavior (HSB) regarding mild symptoms is essential. An effective HSB, especially self-management, can facilitate the attainment of appropriate healthcare resources and affect health outcomes such as quality of life (QOL). However, clear evidence regarding the relationship between self-management, mild symptoms, and QOL is unavailable. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated this association in a rural elderly population. The participants, aged over 65 years, were living in rural communities. The primary outcome of QOL was examined using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L). After adjusting for propensity score matching, 298 participants in the self-management usage group were matched with 298 in the group not using self-management. The most frequent HSB trend was consulting with primary care physicians, followed by self-care, consulting with families, utilizing home medicines, and buying medicines. The EQ-5D-5L scores were statistically higher in the self-management usage group than in the other group. The HSBs with a trend of using self-management were related to a high QOL. Self-management of symptoms along with other HSBs can improve elderly HSBs in rural contexts. Educational interventions and system development for HSBs in rural contexts could be effective in enhancing the QOL of rural elderly populations.

Highlights

An increase in the world’s aging population leads to increasing health problems among the elderly, in developed countries, that demand complicated health management [1]
This study is the first to show that the behavioral trend of self-management with respect to mild symptoms is associated with a high quality of life (QOL) and self-rated health (SRH) among the rural elderly
As this study reported a relatively high difference between the two groups’ EQ-5D-5L scores in component 2 of self-care, individuals that utilize self-management for mild symptoms may tend to consider usual self-management and changes in their health conditions in their approach to managing common health issues

Summary

Introduction

An increase in the world’s aging population leads to increasing health problems among the elderly, in developed countries, that demand complicated health management [1]. The elderly suffer from several age-related diseases that require adequate management through established healthcare systems [2]. More than 70% of adults over 65 suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and cerebrovascular diseases, accounting for 60% of deaths. The growing number of ailments and frequency of visiting medical institutions increase medical expenses, causing financial challenges [3]. To avoid illnesses and their progression, primary and tertiary prevention is crucial for ensuring only mild conditions among the elderly [4]. Help-seeking behaviors (HSB) must be modified and improved from a health perspective to facilitate

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