Rural Elderly Women Research Articles

Health care and family support systems of functionally impaired rural elderly men and women in Terengganu, Malaysia

This article examines the health and social support systems of a small survey sample of rural, low-income, functionally impaired elderly persons in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. Increases in the number and proportion of the elderly are a growing concern, especially in rural areas where there are indications that traditional care givers (daughters) for the elderly are migrating to urban areas. The out-migration patterns in this survey, however, were less than expected. In general, the needs of the respondents are being met by multiple in-kind assistance from adult children, spouses, relatives, friends and neighbors bolstered by free government health care and cash assistance programs. The survey does raise serious concerns regarding the utilization of health care facilities by women, the negative impact of detrimental myths about aging, and the need for more visiting nurses and mobile clinics.

Comparison of nutrient intakes of South African elderly rural Black women in 1969 and 1989

In 1989, an investigation was made of the dietary intakes of a representative sample of 141 elderly Black women living in adjacent villages, in Western Transvaal. Results are compared with those obtained in 1969 on 43 women in a village in the same region. Energy intake averaged 6% higher, not essentially a significant increase. Fat provided 24% of energy compared with 19% in 1969, and protein, 14% versus 12% in 1969. Maize meal intake fell by a half, being replaced largely by bread, mainly brown. Intake of beans decreased slightly. Intake of vegetables and fruit rose by 40%, and of meat and dairy produce, both very low, by 75% and 20%, respectively. Sugar intake trebled. Changes were associated with significant rises in mean Body Mass Index, serum cholesterol level, and urinary calcium creatinine ratio.

Health-protective behaviors of rural black elderly women.

This article introduces the concept of health-protective behavior and examines the practices and attitudes that shape health care behaviors among rural black elderly women. Data for this study were collected from a sample of 407 black elderly women (ages 60 to 98) who resided in a rural community in North Carolina. Personal interviews collected information on personal health care practices, health self-perception, health beliefs.