Objective:
The author conducted a survey on social mutual aid and the social
stimulative effect of older adults living in a rural district, and compared young old and
old-old persons to clarify the roles of public health nurses in promoting community
development.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study based on Andersen’s
Behavioral Model of Health Care Utilization was conducted with 2,500 residents aged 65
years or older of City A in Akita Prefecture. The study was conducted from April 8 to May
15, 2017. Participants were administered a questionnaire containing items on “social
mutual aid in the rural district”. Responses were recorded on a Likert scale.
Results:
As a result of factor analysis, the following four factors were
extracted; [Blessing of a rural district and mutual help and assistance unique to a rural
district], [Closeness of healthcare welfare service and family doctors in conjunction with
their own health], [Decline of culture and community unique to rural districts accompanied
by depopulation] and [Closeness of the town where they live]. Differences were observed in
the closeness of social mutual aid and local societal stimulative effects, even between
generations of old and old-old persons. In young-old persons, a negative correlation was
observed between [Closeness of the town where they live] and other factors. In old-old
persons, a negative correlation was found between [Decline of culture and community unique
to rural districts accompanied by depopulation] and other factors.
Conclusion:
Since not only individual health indices but also local social
mutual aid, which relates to individuals’ influence on the construction of a
Community-based Integrated Care System in a rural district, the author posits that a data
collection and analysis system on social mutual aid would be beneficial for community
development for older adults living in rural districts.