Original Research
Relation of socio-economic status to the independent application of self-care in older persons of South Africa
Submitted: 10 October 2017 | Published: 11 October 2016
About the author(s)
Tinda Rabie, INSINQ Focus Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South AfricaHester C. Klopper, INSINQ Focus Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa
Martha J. Watson, INSINQ Focus Area, Faculty of Health Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, South Africa
Full Text:
PDF (258KB)Abstract
Aim: To determine if the socio-economic status of older persons affects their ability to apply self-care independently without support from professional nurses in the PHC facility.
Design: Quantitative, descriptive research design.
Methods: Older persons (N = 198; n = 192 respondents) were asked to complete the Appraisal of Self-care Agency (ASA-A) and Exercise of Self-care Agency (ESCA) questionnaires. Seven self-care deficits were identified through deductive logic after analysis of the two questionnaires. These seven self-care deficits were compared to the socio economic status of the same sample.
Results: Seven self-care deficits were identified after analysis of the ASA-A and ESCA questionnaires. One self-care deficit was found to have a relationship with the socioeconomic status of the older persons.
Conclusions: Low literacy levels of older persons with a low socio-economic status affect their ability to apply self-care independently without the support from a professional nurse in the PHC facility. Data analysis of the ASA-A and ESCA revealed that these older persons suffer from a “lack of knowledge and ability to acquire knowledge with regard to self-care” which had a relationship with the socio-economic status of older persons with specific reference to low literacy levels and poverty. Implications for practice: More attention should be given to older persons with a low socioeconomic status as their ability to apply self-care independently without the support from a professional nurse is limited. This would lead to less frequent visits to PHC facilities by older persons for minor ailments, decrease healthcare costs, relieve overcrowding in PHC facilities and prevent possible unintentional self-neglect.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 2761Total article views: 1114