Health knowledge and self-efficacy to make health behaviour changes: a survey of older adults living in Ontario social housing

Abstract

Background Older adults living in social housing are a vulnerable population facing unique challenges with health literacy and chronic disease self-management. We investigated this population’s knowledge of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, and self-efficacy to make health behaviour changes (for example, physical activity). This study characterized the relationship between knowledge of health risk factors and self-efficacy to improve health behaviours, in order to determine the potential for future interventions to improve these traits. Methods A cross-sectional study (health behaviour survey) with adults ages 55+ (n = 599) from 16 social housing buildings across five Ontario communities. Descriptive analyses conducted for demographics, cardiovascular disease and diabetes knowledge, and self-efficacy. Subgroup analyses for high-risk groups were performed. Multivariate logistic regressions models were used to evaluate associations of self-efficacy outcomes with multiple factors. Results Majority were female (75.6%), white (89.4%), and completed high school or less (68.7%). Some chronic disease subgroups had higher knowledge for those conditions. Significant (p < 0.05) associations were observed between self-efficacy to increase physical activity and knowledge, intent to change, and being currently active; self-efficacy to increase fruit/vegetable intake and younger age, knowledge, and intent to change; self-efficacy to reduce alcohol and older age; self-efficacy to reduce smoking and intent to change, ability to handle crises, lower average number of cigarettes smoked daily, and less frequent problems with usual activities; self-efficacy to reduce stress and ability to handle crises. Conclusions Those with chronic diseases had greater knowledge about chronic disease. Those with greater ability to handle personal crises and intention to make change had greater self-efficacy to change health behaviours. Development of stress management skills may improve self-efficacy, and proactive health education may foster knowledge before chronic disease develops.

A multi-country survey of the socio-demographic factors associated with adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

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Factors associated with eating behaviors in older adults from a socioecological model perspective

“…This study also confirmed that high self-efficacy was associated with worse eating behaviors among older adults. In contrast to prior research, which has suggested that older adults with high self-efficacy exhibit better coping abilities in challenging situations, display goal-oriented behaviors, and are more likely to adopt healthy eating habits due to the significance of overcoming failures and making persistent efforts to maintain healthy dietary patterns [ 59 , 60 ]. The underlying reason for the observed association between high self-efficacy and worse eating behaviors among older adults could be attributed to the complexity of psychological factors associated with eating behaviors in this population.…”

The Smartphone-Based Self Management Education Improves Compliance and Self Efficacy and Reduces Blood Pressure in Hypertension Patients

“…In this case, the actions taken by someone come from his mind and then these thoughts provide direction for the actions taken. If the higher the knowledge, level of education, and work that is owned will contribute to the formation of high self-efficacy, it cannot be separated from the existence of influencing factors such as previous individual experiences, and experiences of other people in the same way, social persuasion as well as physiological and emotional states (Dzerounian et al, 2022). Self management education is a form of structured health education that can be given to patients with hypertension which is a key element in increasing the self-efficacy of patients with hypertension and is needed to improve, control and carry out self-care.…”