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DETECTING SOCIAL CONTACT PATTERNS AND HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY WITH ILLNESS IN KANCHANABURI, THAILAND

Jaratsit, Suporn

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Arts, Miami University, Population and Social Gerontology.
This study examined the social contact patterns of the elderly with illness problems and health status among the elderly in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, 2011. Data were from a sample of 2,468 people aged 60 years and over with illness problems. This study used the data from the survey of the National Research University Project. Social contact patterns were operationally defined by social network size, frequency of contact with children/relatives/friends, and satisfaction with support from children. The main findings of this study revealed frequency of contact with friends and satisfaction with support from children were significant predictors of bad and moderate health status, when age, gender, marital status, number of children, education, work status, and savings were controlled. The model of bad health status relative to good health status showed that the elderly with less frequent contacts with friends were 2.37 times more likely to have bad health status compared to those who had a high frequency of contact with friends (odds ratio = 2.37, 95 percent confidence interval (CI) 1.40-3.99) and those who were satisfied with support from children were more likely to have good health status (odds ratio = 0.88, 95 percent confidence interval (CI) 1.30-40.64). In addition, only frequency of contact with friends was associated with moderate health status. The elderly people with a low frequency of contact with friends were more likely to have moderate health status. Creating social networks among elderly to alleviate loneliness and stay connected with their contacts is recommended. The government should support local authorities to promote social activities in the community and consider volunteer work to maintain participation between the elderly and others.
WATHINEE BOONCHALAKSI, ASSOC.PROF./PhD (Advisor)
JENNIFER MARTIN KINNEY, PROF./PhD (Other)
JAWALAKSANA RACHAPAETAYAKOM, Ph.D (Other)
54 p.

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Citations

  • Jaratsit, S. (2013). DETECTING SOCIAL CONTACT PATTERNS AND HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY WITH ILLNESS IN KANCHANABURI, THAILAND [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1371420200

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jaratsit, Suporn. DETECTING SOCIAL CONTACT PATTERNS AND HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY WITH ILLNESS IN KANCHANABURI, THAILAND. 2013. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1371420200.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jaratsit, Suporn. "DETECTING SOCIAL CONTACT PATTERNS AND HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY WITH ILLNESS IN KANCHANABURI, THAILAND." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1371420200

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)