Factors facilitating and inhibiting the social participation of the elderly in health-oriented activities in Shiraz, Southern Iran

Abstract

Background The social participation (SP) of the elderly is one of the factors that contribute to the improvement of their well-being. SP, one of the most important factors of active ageing, is mainly influenced by a number of facilitating or inhibiting factors. Aims This study aimed to identify the factors that prevent and facilitate the SP of the elderly population in Iran. Methods A cross-sectional study carried out in Shiraz, southern Iran in 2021. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. Shiraz is divided into 11 districts and the largest park in each district is selected for data gathering. The questionnaires were completed by 612 people aged over 60. Data were collected using the Canadian Elderly Survey Project scale and a health-related lifestyle questionnaire and were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and ANCOVA. Results The mean SP score of the elderly in Shiraz was 24.2 out of 60, which is below the midpoint. The results of the covariance analysis revealed that the SP had a significant relationship with the experience of physician consultation, cost barriers, age, marital status, income level, and education level (P < 0.001). Moreover, the results of Pearson correlation revealed a significant correlation between SP and different dimensions of health-oriented activities (< 0.001). Conclusions This study revealed that the main barriers to older people’s participation in health-related activities are cost and access barriers, such as transportation issues. Moreover, higher income level and higher educational attainment have been recognized as the main facilitators of SP in the elderly. In this regard, it can be suggested to apply a combination of health promotion strategies, financial support programs, and development of optimal transportation infrastructure to increase the SP of the elderly.

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“…Diniz et al (2023) provided insights into the provision of Integrated Care for Health Promotion (ICHP) targeting the elderly population within health services Zendehtalab, H., & et al (2023). investigated the ethical challenges associated with the care of healthy Elderly, employing qualitative perspectives and obtaining written informed consent from the participants Jalali et al (2023). identified cost and access barriers, including transportation issues, as the primary obstacles to the participation of the Elderly in health-related activities.Çiftci et al (2023) conducted a study to assess the impact of health literacy and health promotion on the quality of life among the elderly.…”