Self-care and its association with some demographic factors in the elderly with chronic diseases referring to medical educational centers of Ardabil in 2018

Introduction: As people become older, increases the risk of life with chronic diseases, which limits the physical and mental activity of the elderly and leads to lower quality of life. The World Health Organization recommends promoting self-care for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the level of self-care of elderly people with chronic diseases and its association with some demographic factors. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, ٢٢٢ elderly people with chronic diseases referring to the clinic of Imam Khomeini, Fatemi, Alavi and Bouali Hospitals in Ardabil in ٢٠١٨ were selected by available sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and Self-care Ability Scale for the Elderly(SASE). Finally, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis in SPSS ١٦ software. In all cases of statistical analysis, odds ratio calculated by ٩٥% confidence intervals and p-value less than ٠,٠٥ was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the elderly was ٦٨,٢٥(٧,٦٥) years. ١٩١ (٨٦%) of the elderly had unsatisfactory self-care ability (less than ٦٩) and only ٣١ (١٤%) had good self-care ability (٦٩ and above). Female sex has a significant and direct effect on the chance for good self-care ability, while being married, divorced, and widowed have significant, but inversely effect on chance for good self-care ability. Conclusions: According to the present study, self-care in the elderly with chronic diseases referring to Ardabil's medical educational centers is in unsatisfactory level, so elaboration and execution of self-care promotion programs for elderly people is a necessity