Health Belief Model among Elderly People Regarding Prevention of Rheumatoid Arthritis Complication.

Abstract

Background : Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that develops in older adults. It causes joint pain and stiffness, Aim of study was to assess health belief model among elderly people regarding prevention of rheumatoid arthritis complication. Research design : A descriptive research design was used in carrying out this study. Setting: This study was conducted at Rheumatoid Arthritis Outpatient Clinic affiliated to Benha University Hospital in Benha City. Study subjects : A simple random sample was used in this study, including 144 elderly people. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used: Tool I): A structured interviewing questionnaire consisted of three parts: (a) Socio-demographic characteristics and medical history, b) knowledge about rheumatoid arthritis and c) Reported practices regarding prevention of rheumatoid arthritis complication, and Tool II): Health belief model scale. Results: 55.6% of the studied elderly people were male, 50.7% of them were age ranged from 60 to less than 65 years old, 43.8% of them had poor knowledge level about rheumatoid arthritis, 59.7% of them had unsatisfactory reported practices regarding RA, and 50.7% of them had poor health belief model. Conclusion: There were positive correlations between studied patients total knowledge score, total reported practices score and total health belief model score. Recommendations: Developing and implementing health educational program based on health belief model for elderly people with rheumatoid arthritis to improve and provide them with the most current information about disease, and practices bout rheumatoid arthritis.