Health promotion behavior is one of the main criteria for determining health that is recognized as the basic factor in catching numerous diseases. Aim of this study: to identify the factors affecting health promoting behaviors of elderly in rural areas. Subjects and method: A Descriptive research design was utilized. This study was conducted in four villages. The total number of sample was 1000 elderly. An interview questionnaire was used to collect data about: Personal information and availability of health care services, Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile scale (HPLPII), perception of chronic diseases and social support scale. Results: The main results of study 46.9% had moderate total health promoting behaviors while 42.6% had low total health promoting behaviors. Statistically significant difference between all personal data of elderly and their total health promoting behaviors. Also It was noticed that majority (89,9 %) of elderly have social support. Conclusion: the total score of elderly's health promoting behaviors who were living in Assiut & Sohag governorates ranged between the low and moderate level. Recommendations: The routine services for the elderly should improve the ability of health personnel to provide knowledge and information on HPB as well as to educate the caregivers and to motivate the elderly to engage in daily practice of HPB.

Hypertension has been a well-recognized condition in the elderly for a very long time and is prevalent in over 70% of the elderly population. It is estimated that the number of persons aged 65 years and older will increase to 72 million by the year 2030, which will in turn result in an increased rate of hypertension among the elderly. Aim: To assess the quality of life of elderly patients suffering from hypertension and nurses' knowledge regarding hypertension. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive research design was utilized in this study. This study was carried out at medical, dialysis, and neurological departments at Sohag University Hospital. Convenient sample consist of 178 elderly patients suffering from hypertension and 58 nurses. Data were collected at a period of six months starting from November 2011 to the end of April 2012, using two tools: First tool; is a structured interview sheet about Quality of life. Second tool: an interview questionnaire sheet to assess nurses' knowledge regarding hypertension. Results: 48.9% of patients had low QOL score, and there was a statistical significant difference between quality of life and sex & level of education "P-value (.007&.070)" respectively, and around one third of nurses (32.7%) had poor level of knowledge about hypertension. There was a statistical significant difference between knowledge and age & qualification of nurses "p-value (.052&.090) respectively". Conclusion and Recommendations: Presence of gerontological nurses in outpatient clinics and hospital departments whom trained and have an active role in health promotion and disease prevention for that highly growing segment of population. People have to be educated through mass media on hypertension and its risk factors. People have to be educated on the importance of physical exercises and have to be encouraged to do them.