The Current Status of Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Care Literacy of the Elderly and Its Influencing Factors--Based on a Survey of 460 Elderly People

Abstract

Objective: To understand the current status of knowledge and beliefs of Chinese medicine health care and its influencing factors among the elderly in Henan Province, and to provide reference for improving their Chinese medicine health care literacy. Methods: Using convenience sampling, 460 elderly people in Henan Province were selected to carry out a questionnaire survey on the current status of knowledge and beliefs of Chinese medicine and health care, and their influencing factors were analysed. Results: The standard score of knowledge of TCM health care for the elderly in Henan Province was (56.72±15.35), the standard score of attitude was (79.57±15.91), and the standard score of behaviour was (42.17±22.25); the residence place, education level, monthly disposable income, previous occupation, type of medical insurance, the presence of old-age insurance, the presence of chronic diseases, and the presence of relatives engaged in TCM-related occupations were statistically significant (P<0.05) in terms of the scores on the three dimensions of knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of TCM health care and the total score; senior high school/vocational high school/junior college (OR= 0.329, 95% CI: 0.137-0.791), workers (OR= 4.295, 95% CI: 1.023-18.044), and those who suffered from chronic diseases ( OR= 1.964, 95% CI: 1.171~3.294) significantly affect the knowledge score; business unit (OR= 0.135, 95% CI: 0.024~0.754), and having chronic disease (OR= 1.918, 95% CI: 1.168~3.151) significantly affect the attitude score; and 3001~5000 yuan (OR= 0.292, 95% CI: 0.105~0.812), workers (OR= 5.180, 95% CI: 1.311~20.47), others (OR= 4.698, 95% CI: 1.112~19.839), having old age insurance (OR= 1.641, 95% CI: 1.028~2.620), and suffering from chronic diseases (OR= 2.152, 95% CI: 1.280~3.617) and so on significantly influenced the behavioural scores. Conclusion: The attitude level of TCM health care among the elderly in Henan Province is good, and the knowledge and behaviour level needs to be improved. Long-term and stable health knowledge education for the elderly population should be carried out to strengthen the elderly's knowledge of TCM health care and further strengthen their beliefs in TCM health care in order to promote the formation of their TCM health care health behaviours.