Efficacy of Nutrition Education in Elderly Clinic, Surin Hospital

Abstract

Background: Health problems in elderly mostly related to their previous nutrition status such as malnutrition, cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, myocardial infarction, gout, obesity, anemia and diabetes. Nutrition knowledge therefore affected the nutrition complication in elderly.
Objective: To study the elderly patient on their nutrition knowledge and consumption behavior in elderly clinic and to compare their nutrition knowledge and consumption behavior before and after received nutrition education.
Study Design: Pre-experimental design
Method: Sample group was 30 elderly patients selected from elderly clinic of Surin hospital. Research tool was questionnaire which comprised of gender, age, education level, occupation, income, laboratory findings, attitude and behavior measurement. Data was collected form August 1st to September 30th 2010. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistic (percentage, mean and standard deviation) and analytical statistic (t-test).
Result: Most of patients were female (60%) aged between 70 - 79 years, graduated secondary school level (53%), farmer (50%), average income of 3,000 Baht per month and married. The elderly needed care and attention. Providing nutrition education for appropriate food consumption and behavior by real product demonstration helped elderly patient to understand easily. Outcome of nutrition education in elderly clinic was significant improvement on appropriate food consumption.
Conclusion: Result from this study indicated nutrition education in elderly patient improved their consumption behavior. The elderly patients can choose good and right food for their age. To promote patient’s health status, nutrition education should be promoted in elderly clinic for routine practice.