Health promotion behaviors and quality of life among elderly in West area in Tehran-Iran 2006: A cross-sectional survey

As individuals live longer, health promotion behaviors become even more important, particularly with regard to maintaining functional independence and improving quality of life (QoL).The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between health promotion behaviors and QoL in west area in Tehran-Iran. This study was a descriptive-correlational study to explore the relationship between health promotion behaviors and QoL among elderly in west area in Tehran-Iran. A convenience sample of 410 community residents who were over 60 years old and cognitively intact were selected from 6 regions in west of Teran. Participants who consented to participate in the study were interviewed by trained interviewers with a structured questionnaire. The results of the study showed that there were statistically significant differences in QoL of the elderly related to exercise, Low salt& fat diet, drinking milk, consumption of dairy and meat, consumption fresh vegetables and fruits, Health check-up, BP check-up (p<.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that Economic status, Perceived health status, hypertension, cancer, mental disorder, visual disorder, number of chronic illnesses, exercise, low fat diet, consumption fresh vegetables and fruits, ADLs were statistically significant predictors of QoL. R2 for this whole regression model was .416, indicating that approximately 41.6 of the variance in QoL was accounted for by the linear combination of these variables. Nurses should enhance the QoL in elderly persons by facilitating health promotion behaviors through formal nursing interventions which will maintain and increase a healthy and active life. © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2007