| Learning Objective #1: List health concerns associated with growing older on the border | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify several health-related differences between elderly Hispanics and elderly non-Hispanic Whites |
Objective: To assess the health needs of the 60 and older population along the US-Mexico Border.
Design: An interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at El Paso designed the multi-phase Ageless Health Needs Assessment Project. Data was collected by means of health surveys and focus groups.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years: A random sample of persons aged 60 and older were administered the health survey (either by phone or in-person) in Western Texas (2000) and Southern New Mexico (2001). Focus groups were conducted at local senior centers and churches.
Variables Studied Together: Ethnicity, region, age, sex, and activity ability were studied. Activity ability was assessed by asking, “Does your health now limit you in these activities?”
Methods: A total of 1,450 participants completed the health survey with 52% of the Texas sample being Hispanic, compared to only 23% of the New Mexico sample. Factor analysis examined activity ability items and an ANCOVA tested differences between ethnicity and region. A total of 13 focus groups were completed and themes were analyzed using Ethnograph 5.0.
Findings: The factor analysis revealed that the activity items loaded well onto one-factor, which was labeled Activity Potential. Significant main effects and an interaction were found for ethnicity and region. Focus group issues varied by region and showed cultural differences for long-term care, use of health services, and attitudes towards aging.
Conclusions: This study collected health survey data and conducted focus groups with persons aged 60 and older living on the border. Findings indicate differences between Texas and New Mexico elderly based on ethnicity and region.
Implications: These findings suggest that diverse ethnic backgrounds and environment influence the health of older adults. Therefore, each community needs to keep these differences in mind when developing culturally sensitive programs that promote healthy activity levels.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003