Health education improves both arthritis-related illness and self-rated health : An intervention study among older people in rural Bangladesh

• Objectives: To examine changes in self-reported arthritis-related illness and self-rated health as a result of a health education intervention, and the association between self-reported arthritis-related illness and self-rated health. Study design: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in eight randomly selected villages in rural Bangladesh (intervention = 4; control = 4). Methods: The intervention consisted of home-based physical activities, health advice and aspects of healthcare management over 15 months followed by a 3-month latent period. Data were collected before the intervention and after the latent period. Analyses included 839 participants (>= 60 years of age) who participated in both surveys. Participants in the intervention area were further categorized into two groups who self-reported compliance or non-compliance with recommended health advice. Self-rated health was assessed using a single global question. Self-reported arthritis-related illness was indicated by the presence of arthritis, back and joint pain, biting sensation, swelling and inflammation in the joints. Results: Hierarchical logistic regression analyses revealed that positive effects on episodes of arthritis-related illness [ odds ratio (OR) 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.8] and self-rated health (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0-1.9) were more likely among the compliant group compared with the control group. Furthermore, positive self-rated health was more likely among participants reporting a positive change in their arthritis-related illness (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5-3.2). The results also showed that literate and non-poor participants were more likely to report positive health, and participants with advancing age were less likely to report positive health. Conclusion: Community-based health education is effective in reducing the burden of arthritis-related illness and in enhancing general health in old age.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Self-rated health

Arthritis

Older people

Health education

Bangladesh

Social medicine

Socialmedicin

hälso- och sjukvårdsforskning

hälso- och sjukvårdsforskning

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)