Paper
Saturday, July 14, 2007
First Steps in Developing E-Technology Programs Designed to Promote Healthy Behaviors in Urban Older Adults: Phase One Findings
Linda Weglicki, PhD, MSN, College of Nursing, Adult Health, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| Learning Objective #1: Identify the percentage of urban older adults who would benefit from and use e-technology educational programs designed to promote healthy behaviors. |
| Learning Objective #2: Describe age-specific health education program content themes for smoking reduction/cessation and health activities for weight control for urban older adults. |
BACKGROUND: Smoking and obesity are major risk factors contributing to heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic conditions that account for over 60% of all deaths in older Americans. Adopting healthy behaviors, such as smoke-free lifestyle or eating healthy, can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and early death among older adults. Information technology (IT) is a relatively untapped health education strategy for older adults. DESIGN/POPULATION: This multidisciplinary, community-based, descriptive study focuses on the feasibility of using personalized eHealthSmart®, an IT program, by racially/ethnically diverse older, urban adults with the aim of promoting healthy behaviors and reducing health disparities. Green-Kreuter’s PRECEDE-PROCEDE MODEL, targeting senior centers where e-health education may be delivered, guided this study. METHODS: Focus groups and survey analysis were used in Phase One to develop eHealthSmart® educational program themes and content on smoking cessation and healthy eating specific to older urban adults. A central thesis is that e-health promotion education is more effective when tailored to individuals. FINDINGS: Thirty-five older adults participated in four focus groups; mean age was 69 years (SD=8.3), two-thirds were Black, single/divorced or widowed (62.5%), and most (81%) were educated. Eighty-four percent owned a computer; 63% used computers daily; 60% were ‘Comfortable” using computers; and 63% browsed the Internet routinely. Seventy-eight percent reported an interest in using e-technology to learn about health information; 87% for smoking cessation and 62% to lose weight. Focus group transcriptions were analyzed for e-program content themes (six tobacco cessation and five overweight/obesity) using NUD*IST and expert review. CONCLUSIONS: Phase One findings indicate that urban older adults have access, are comfortable, and willing to participate in e-health age-specific educational programs. IMPLICATIONS: The feasibility and efficacy of using IT programs to promote healthier lifestyles by older adults may result in reduced morbidity and improved quality of life in this growing US population.