Factors Related to Self-Care Behaviors among Older Adults for Communicable Disease (CD) Protection in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand: A Case Study of COVID-19

Authors

• Surasingha Sombat Suranartwatchawong, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 Thailand
• Sane Saengngoen, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 ThailandFollow
• Supaporn Sudnongbua, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, 65000 Thailand

Abstract

Background: The impact of COVID-19 is particularly severe for older adults, who represent the most vulnerable demographic. Using COVID-19 as a case study, this research investigates the factors influencing self-care behaviors for preventing communicable diseases (CD) among older adults in the EEC.

Methods: The study with a cross-sectional design involving 387 older adults aged 60 years was conducted between January and March 2025. The questionnaire was valid and reliable based on objective congruence (IOC) index and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Data analysis utilized both descriptive and inferential statistics.  Frequency, percentage, standard deviation, and multiple linear regression analysis were employed for data analysis.

Results: In this case study of COVID-19, eight factors were found to collectively predict 32.6% of the variance in self-care behaviors for preventing communicable diseases among older adults in the EEC (Adjusted ).Six positive factors, including (1) perception of self-care ability (b=0.343, β=0.305), (2) internal and external health beliefs (b=0.630, β=0.213), (3) social support (b=0.167, β=0.127), (4) history of COVID-19 vaccination (b=5.013, β=0.109), (5) employment status  (b=5.225, β=0.158) and (6) increasing age (b=0.336, β=0.117). Conversely, two factors were associated with lower self-care engagement: the absence of underlying diseases (b=-5.136, β=-0.014)) and living alone.

Conclusion: Self-care behaviors in older adults can be influenced by both positive factors, including perception of self-care ability, internal and external beliefs, social support and negative factors, including underlying disease, family characteristics.

Keywords: Self-care behaviors, older adults, Communicable disease protection, Eastern Economic Corridor, COVID-19

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