Factors Associated with Health-Promoting Behaviors among Dependent Older Adults in Mueang Si Khai Subdistrict, Warin Chamrap District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This analytical cross-sectional survey research aimed to: (1) examine health behavior knowledge, attitudes toward health behaviors, and health-promoting behaviors among dependent older adults; and (2) investigate factors associated with health-promoting behaviors among dependent older adults. The study was conducted from June  1 to June 30, 2025. The sample consisted of 41 dependent older adults. The research instruments included questionnaires on health behavior knowledge, attitudes toward health behaviors, and health-promoting behaviors. Content validity was assessed by three experts. The reliability of the knowledge questionnaire, measured using the Kuder–Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20), was 0.723. The attitude and health-promoting behavior questionnaires demonstrated Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.834 and 0.727, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Associations between variables were examined using Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient at a significance level of 0.05. The results revealed that 87.80 % of the participants had a good level of health behavior knowledge, 97.56 % had positive attitudes toward health behaviors, and 58.54 % demonstrated good health-promoting behaviors. Underlying diseases were significantly associated with health-promoting behaviors among dependent older adults (x^2= 4.562, p = 0.033). Body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with health-promoting behaviors, showing a low but statistically significant correlation (rs = 0.322, p = 0.040). These findings indicate that dependent older adults possess adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward health behaviors and are ready to improve their health practices. However, challenges remain regarding participation in activities with family members, selecting foods based on nutritional value rather than taste preference, and maintaining appropriate weight control.