Comparison of Active Aging Indicators and Associated Factors Among Urban and Rural Elderly in Behshahr, Iran (2023)
Background and purpose: Active aging involves optimizing opportunities to enhance the quality of life in older age. Environmental differences and lifestyle variations between urban and rural areas can significantly affect active aging. This study aimed to compare the indicators of active aging among...
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Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences |
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| Online Access: | http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-20999-en.pdf |
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| author | Nadia Khakzad Ehteramsadat Ilali AbolfazlHosein Nattaj Tahereh Yaghoobi |
| author_facet | Nadia Khakzad Ehteramsadat Ilali AbolfazlHosein Nattaj Tahereh Yaghoobi |
| author_sort | Nadia Khakzad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and purpose: Active aging involves optimizing opportunities to enhance the quality of life in older age. Environmental differences and lifestyle variations between urban and rural areas can significantly affect active aging. This study aimed to compare the indicators of active aging among elderly individuals in urban and rural areas of Behshahr, while also identifying the factors associated with these indicators in 2023.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study employed a proportional quota sampling method to examine 350 elderly individuals from comprehensive health service centers in Behshahr. The tools used included a demographic-social factors form and a 40-item questionnaire on the Iranian Active Aging Index. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and linear regression tests.
Results: The mean age of the elderly participants was 70.96±13.8 years. Among the participants, 52% were men, and 61% were married. The average scores on the Active Aging Index were 111.47±30.48 for urban residents and 93.73±21.66 for rural residents, demonstrating that urban elderly individuals had significantly higher scores than their rural counterparts (P<0.001). Married elderly individuals in both groups scored significantly higher on the Active Aging Index compared to single individuals. Participants with higher education levels and income also achieved significantly greater scores. In contrast, an increase in age and the number of children was associated with a notable reduction in the Active Aging Index score (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Attention to geographical, cultural, and social differences is crucial when formulating policies for the elderly. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to develop infrastructure that improves access to health and social services for older adults in rural areas. These findings can guide policymakers in enhancing the quality of life for older adults, highlighting the importance of addressing the unique needs of diverse groups. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0024e6a9794e4848af17bf70734fffdd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1735-9260 1735-9279 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-0024e6a9794e4848af17bf70734fffdd2025-01-15T06:17:50ZengMazandaran University of Medical SciencesJournal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences1735-92601735-92792024-12-01342402633Comparison of Active Aging Indicators and Associated Factors Among Urban and Rural Elderly in Behshahr, Iran (2023)Nadia Khakzad0Ehteramsadat Ilali1AbolfazlHosein Nattaj2Tahereh Yaghoobi3 Master's Student in Geriatric Nursing, Student Research Committee, Nasibeh Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Associate Professor, Department of Geriatric Nursing, NasibehFaculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Associate Professor, Psychosomatic Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Background and purpose: Active aging involves optimizing opportunities to enhance the quality of life in older age. Environmental differences and lifestyle variations between urban and rural areas can significantly affect active aging. This study aimed to compare the indicators of active aging among elderly individuals in urban and rural areas of Behshahr, while also identifying the factors associated with these indicators in 2023. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study employed a proportional quota sampling method to examine 350 elderly individuals from comprehensive health service centers in Behshahr. The tools used included a demographic-social factors form and a 40-item questionnaire on the Iranian Active Aging Index. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and linear regression tests. Results: The mean age of the elderly participants was 70.96±13.8 years. Among the participants, 52% were men, and 61% were married. The average scores on the Active Aging Index were 111.47±30.48 for urban residents and 93.73±21.66 for rural residents, demonstrating that urban elderly individuals had significantly higher scores than their rural counterparts (P<0.001). Married elderly individuals in both groups scored significantly higher on the Active Aging Index compared to single individuals. Participants with higher education levels and income also achieved significantly greater scores. In contrast, an increase in age and the number of children was associated with a notable reduction in the Active Aging Index score (P<0.05). Conclusion: Attention to geographical, cultural, and social differences is crucial when formulating policies for the elderly. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to develop infrastructure that improves access to health and social services for older adults in rural areas. These findings can guide policymakers in enhancing the quality of life for older adults, highlighting the importance of addressing the unique needs of diverse groups.http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-20999-en.pdfaging indexactive agingurban elderlyrural elderly |
| spellingShingle | Nadia Khakzad Ehteramsadat Ilali AbolfazlHosein Nattaj Tahereh Yaghoobi Comparison of Active Aging Indicators and Associated Factors Among Urban and Rural Elderly in Behshahr, Iran (2023) Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences aging index active aging urban elderly rural elderly |
| title | Comparison of Active Aging Indicators and Associated Factors Among Urban and Rural Elderly in Behshahr, Iran (2023) |
| title_full | Comparison of Active Aging Indicators and Associated Factors Among Urban and Rural Elderly in Behshahr, Iran (2023) |
| title_fullStr | Comparison of Active Aging Indicators and Associated Factors Among Urban and Rural Elderly in Behshahr, Iran (2023) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparison of Active Aging Indicators and Associated Factors Among Urban and Rural Elderly in Behshahr, Iran (2023) |
| title_short | Comparison of Active Aging Indicators and Associated Factors Among Urban and Rural Elderly in Behshahr, Iran (2023) |
| title_sort | comparison of active aging indicators and associated factors among urban and rural elderly in behshahr iran 2023 |
| topic | aging index active aging urban elderly rural elderly |
| url | http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-20999-en.pdf |
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