Integrating Long Term Care in the Prevention and Control of Disease in Remote Areas together with COVID-19 among the Elderly in the Northeastern Province

Abstract

The ojectives of this study were to investigate factors affecting perceptions of disease prevention practices in wilderness areas among the elderly with COVID-19 in two Northeastern provinces (Ubon Ratchathani and Sisaket provinces), and utilize the findings to establish a care model for the elderly with COVID-19. It was conducted as an integrated operational study during June 2021 - January 2022. The sample were 666 elderly people in the 2 provinces. The study instrument was an interview form created by a researcher and reviewed by three specialists for the IOC. Every component had a value of 0.67 or higher, with a level of confidence (reliability) of 0.70 or higher. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics: number, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum values. The association of factors and behavioral perceptions were determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to predict the association between the two groups of variables. The paired T-test was used to examine the model development results. The findings revealed that the samples had a moderate to high level of perception of disease severity, and a high perception of the benefits as well as the ability to perform disease prevention. On the other hand, the prevention practice was at low level. There was high level of social support; and moderate to high level of quality of life during the COVID-19 outbreak. The variables that were able to predict prevention practice, in ranking order, were the perception of the benefits of disease prevention, the disease prevention practice, the behavioral factors, the health factors, the psychological factors, and the social factors, respectively for the elderly in Ubon Ratchathani province; and the perceived benefits of disease prevention and helminth prevention practices for Sisaket province (p<0.05). From this study, the strategies for long-term care for the elderly in the prevention and control of disease in the wilderness areas in combination with COVID-19 included: (1) developing potential for village health volunteers and carers for the elderly, and (2) promoting appropriate exercise in the elderly. This research could be utilized to plan and motivate village health volunteers and elderly caregivers to adopt suitable habits and knowledge when caring and promoting the quality of life of the elderly.