2026-06-16T20:14:36+03:30 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?mag_id=12&slc_lang=en&sid=1

12-190 2026-06-16 10.1002

Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Mohammad Sabzi Khoshnami Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Javadi javadismh4@gmail.com Sara Noruzi Moslem Arian This article has no abstract. 2020 6 01 1 2 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-190-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3408

12-146 2026-06-16 10.1002

Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Aliakbar Vaezi Arefeh Dehghani Tafti Sanaz Behzadi Goodari sa.behzadi70@gmail.com Reza Bidaki Introduction: Cognitive impairment rate such as memory loss increases because of aging as a natural process. Based on the evidence, physical activity can lead to improved mental and cognitive function and also plays a preventive role against reducing cognitive function.  the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of yoga exercises on memory of elderly women. Methods: This experimental study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial that was conducted in 2018. Two elderly day care centers in Yazd city ,in central  Iran were selected and randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Then, according to the inclusion criteria, eligible people were selected from the centers and enrolled in the study. Participants were 58 elderly women who were assigned to control (n: 29) and intervention (n: 29) groups. Yoga exercises were held for 2 months (three 1-h sessions a week) for intervention group. The Wechsler Memory Scale was completed for both groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed by SPSS using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean score of memory in the intervention group before intervention was 77.7 ± 17.8 and after the intervention reached 86.4 ± 17.3, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05), but in control group, no significant difference was observed. In the intervention group, mental control, logical and visual memory subscales increased significantly (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in other subscales. There was no significant difference in any of the subscales in control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: To improve the memory of the elderly, physical activity such as yoga exercise can be helpful. The elderly can routinely practice these exercises in elderly care centers.   Memory Yoga Aged 2020 6 01 3 8 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-146-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3409

12-161 2026-06-16 10.1002

Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Ebrahim Jalali Javaran Hamid Sharifi Marzieh Hasani Vahidreza Borhaninejad Abedin Iranpour iranpourabedin89@gmail.com Introduction: Medication adherence is regarded as one of the most important factors in caring for hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the effect of intervention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) on medication adherence and its influencing factors on the elderly with hypertension in a rural area, Kerman province, Iran.                  Methods: This quasi-experimental study of the pre and post-control type was conducted on 109 elderly patients with hypertension. Data were collected using a multistage random sampling and a valid questionnaire based on the TPB. The intervention was an educational program based on TPB constructs using educational videos, pamphlets and booklets approved by the Ministry of Health. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS 22 using parametric tests (Independent t-test, paired t-test, and regression analysis). Results: The average score of the attitudes , perceived behavioral control, as well as medication adherence behavior  constructs increased significantly after the intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis in intervention group after intervention showed that 76% of variations in intention were explained by the model. Attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were independent predictors of intention. The association between subjective norms and intention was of marginal significance (B = 0.89). Conclusion: The results of this research showed that an educational program based on TPB can affect medication adherence on elderly rural patients suffering from hypertension.   Hypertension Medication Adherence Theory of Planned Behavior Aged Patients 2020 6 01 9 15 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-161-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3410

12-180 2026-06-16 10.1002

Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Bolaji Egbewale Wasiu Adebimpe lekanadebimpe@gmail.com Introduction: The population of the elderly and older persons worldwide has increased over time as demographic transition thickens. In Nigeria, whereas, most interventional efforts are geared towards prioritizing and protecting youth sexuality, very little or no attention is being given to the sexuality of the elderly. The objective of this study therefore was to determine sexual behaviors among the elderly population in Osogbo, southwestern Nigeria. Methods: This was a community based descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in 2016 among 491 eligible elderly respondents drawn from a simple random sample of five clusters. Research instrument was interviewer administered semi-structured and pretested questionnaire. Bivariate analysis using chi-square test was used to examine association between categorical variables at 5% level of significance. Responses were analyzed using the SPSS software version 21.0. Results: Mean age in years of respondents was 66.9 ±7.3 SD, 106 (21.6%) were males, 78 (15.9%) have had sex within the last 12 months, 25.9% had high sexual risk behavior while 45 (9.2%) described themselves as still sexually active. Major predictors of having sexual intercourse within the past 12 months and self-reported of being sexually active include; living with spouse, having low educational status, currently taking alcohol, having a regular source of income and being a male, p < 0.05 in each case. Conclusion: The elderly age group is still sexually active to varying levels, thus stressing the importance of prioritizing elderly sexual health as part of a holistic and comprehensive geriatric care programmes. Sexual Behavior Aged Predictors Nigeria 2020 6 01 16 23 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-180-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3411

12-149 2026-06-16 10.1002

Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Ahmad Sadeghi Hasan Jafari Hossein Rouhani hoseinrohani3@gmail.com Fereshteh Eidy Akram Zhiani Fard Najmeh Davoodi Introduction: Since nutritional status has a great impact on physical and mental health, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between nutritional status and depression in elderly referring to urban health centers of Esfarayn, North Khorasan province, Iran) in 2017. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 250 elderly referring to Esfarayen health centers. Data collecting tool was a standard questionnaire for investigating nutritional and depression status in the elderly. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, t-test, chi-square and correlation coefficient by SPSS18 software. Results: According to the results, 8.4% of elderly were malnourished and 30% were exposed to malnutrition. There was an inverse correlation between age, number of children and nutritional status, and there was a significant relationship between living alone, underlying diseases, body mass index and nutritional status (p < 0.05). Forthy four percent of the elderly had severe depression and 40% had mild depression. Significant relationship was found between variables such as age, gender, education, economic status, living alone, underlying diseases and depression (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between depression and nutritional status in the elderly (p <0.001, r = -0.615). Conclusion: Depression is prevalent among elderly, and their nutritional status is in moderate level. Regarding the correlation between these two variables, periodical psychiatric examinations, psychological interventions with the aim of treating depression as well as educational measures to improve the nutrition statues of the elderly is necessary. Nutritional Status Depression Aged 2020 6 01 24 30 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-149-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3412

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Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Mohammad Reza Mahmoudi mrmahmoodi2002@yahoo.com Behnaz Rahmati Introduction: Patients with cancer and hemodialysis are prone to opportunistic infections. The present research aims to examine the frequency of Toxoplasmosis and intestinal parasites in these patients. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, seventy stool and blood samples from immunocompromised patients (46 hemodialysis and 24 cancer patients) from Guilan Province were collected in 2017-2018. Different tests including direct smear examination and formalin-ether was conducted for the intestinal protozoan parasites. To detect coccidian parasites (e.g. Cryptosporidium spp.) Ziehl Neelsen staining was applied. The anti T.gondii antibodies were detected via ELISA method.  Results: Totally 6.52% and 4.16% cases of hemodialysis and cancer patients were positive for intestinal parasite infection respectively. Blastocystis hominis was only intestinal parasite that were detected in these patients. IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibody detected in 35 (76.8%) hemodialysis and 15 (62.5%) cancer patients. IgM antibody were found in 1 elderly hemodialysis patient. Mix infection (Toxoplasmosis and Blastocystis) was observed in 6.52% and 4.16% in hemodialysis and cancer patients respectively. Conclusion: It is recommended to evaluate these patients for intestinal parasitic infections during hemodialysis or chemotherapy sessions. Data showed the high percentage of elderly patients were susceptible to reactivation of chronic Toxoplasmosis. Therefore, in order to refer them for early therapy or other interventions, it is important that elderly hemodialysis and cancer patients with toxoplasma infection be diagnosed and identified.   Aged Immunocompromised Host Parasites Toxoplasmosis 2020 6 01 31 35 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-162-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3413

12-179 2026-06-16 10.1002

Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 obiora Jude uchendu ojlinksent@yahoo.com Introduction: The elderly represent a significant proportion of the populace and their mortality index is of public health significance. With dearth of vital registration, in-hospital based studies remains a desirable alternative. This study hopes to determine the epidemiologic pattern of elderly mortality with respect to sex, age, date and cause of death.  Methods: This is descriptive retrospective study of elderly deaths among hospitalized patients in a Nigerian Tertiary Care Center. The age, sex, date and causes of death were analyzed using SPSS 21 and results summarized in tables and figures. Results: Elderly death constitute 24.7% of all hospital deaths with a crude mortality of 25.3%. Males constitute majority of the cases and 81.6% of the deaths occur within the 7th and 8th decades. Non-communicable diseases, communicable diseases and injuries constitute 80%, 12.5% and 7.6% of the cases respectively. Major specific causes of death include cerebrovascular accident, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, sepsis, diabetes mellitus, road traffic accident, prostate and colorectal cancers accounting for 28.8%, 8.7%, 5.7%, 5.3%, 4.9%, 3.8%, 3.4% and 3.0% of all cases respectively. Conclusion: Mortality rate among in-hospital elderly patients are relatively high. More male are affected than females with causes attributed, in descending order to non- communicable, communicable diseases and external injuries. Major specific causes of death include cerebrovascular accident, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, cancers, sepsis and road traffic injury. Understanding the disease pattern will go a long way guiding social policy and healthcare interventions on the elderly population. Mortality Non-communicable Communicable Injury Aging 2020 6 01 36 42 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-179-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3414

12-154 2026-06-16 10.1002

Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Ilknur Ozkan Feride Taskin Yilmaz feride_taskin@hotmail.com Azime Karakoc Kumsar Kamile Uyar Introduction: Physiological changes occurring with aging increase prevalence of chronic diseases in elderly individuals. This situation brings about difficulties in medication use in elderly individuals. This study was conducted to determine knowledge, attitude and behaviours regarding medication use in elderly with chronic diseases. Methods: Participants of this descriptive and cross-sectional study were 124 elderly individuals who were more than 65 years old, applied to Family Health Center in Yalova, Turkey between the dates of January- June 2018. Data were collected with data collection form including individual and disease information, medication use and knowledge, attitude and behaviours regarding medication use.  Results: Almost half of the elderly individuals (44.4%) expressed that they used medicine three times a day and 40.3% of them expressed that they used medicine six times and more a day. When the information about medication use of elderly individuals is evaluated, 75% of them stated that they did not receive any information on drug use and 82.3% of them did not know the side effects of drugs. When the attitudes of the individuals were evaluated, it was found that 6.5% of them liked to use medication, 67.7% of them had no dose, and 46% of them had stopped using medication without asking the physician. When the behaviors of elderly individuals were evaluated, 19.4% of them didn’t use their medicines regularly, 46% of them discontinued their medication without asking their doctors, 82.3% of them didn’t know side effect of the medicines, 81.5% of them used medicines without doctor’s advice, 79.8% of them didn’t read medicine usage instructions before using medicines, 12.9% of them kept their medicines in their bags and 55.6% of them kept them in a cabinet. Conclusion: Significant problems such as lack of information about drug use in elderly individuals and self-medication use have been identified. Aged Medication Use Knowledge Attitude Behaviours 2020 6 01 43 50 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-154-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3415

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Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Khairnnisa Mansoor khairunnisa.mansoor@aku.edu Hussain Maqbool Ahmed Khuwaja Introduction: Elderly population is increasing in Pakistan. Majority of people aged 50 – 64, suffer from two or more chronic conditions. Care of elderly people is sub-optimal. Healthcare system has limited resources to provide healthcare support to elderly people. Thus, there is need to empower the elderly to self-manage their health conditions. Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) is the most widely accepted self-management patient education program. It is designed to help people to gain confidence and skills to better manage their chronic conditions. Evidence of the effectiveness of CDSMP specifically for elderly people aged 60 years and above is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to determine the effects of the program among chronically ill elderly people. Methods: MEDLINED, CINHAL, EMBASE, PSYINFO, JBI and ASSIA were searched between April and May, 2020 for studies that tested the effects of generic CDSMP. A total of 750 articles were identified, of which 5 were included in the core review (four randomized controlled trials and one quasi-experimental). Results: Eligible 5 studies yielded 2971 participants (mean aged 60.4 to 76.0 years). Elder people who participated in CDSMP improved their self-efficacy to manage disease in general and to manage symptoms. The effects on health status were mixed. Self-rated health and health distress showed significant improvement. Some health behaviours showed improvement, particularly exercise component showed significant improvement. For health services utilization, there was no improvement. Conclusion: The result of this review suggests that CDSMP is beneficial for elderly people who attended the structured CDSMP either through a trained care provider or layman. Experimental studies in low and middle income countries, with large sample sizes are suggested to further understand the impact of CDSMP. CDSMP Aged Health Status Self-Efficacy Health Behaviours 2020 6 01 51 63 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-177-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3416

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Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Jonathan Aseye Nutakor jnutakor@gmail.com Alexander Kwame Gavu Frailty is a vulnerable situation among older adults which can lead to unfavorable health outcomes such as falls, mortality, functional decline and institutionalization. The increasing number of elderly people and low rate of mortality has necessitated the need for high-quality medical services for this aging population, and this has led to a high cost of geriatric health care. There exist a huge number of screening tools to detect frailty and it is important for researchers and general practitioners (GPs) to select the appropriate and precise tool that would effectively lead to quality results. Frail individuals can be managed effectively when there is an early screening and intervention. Healthcare providers need tools that are simple and validated in order for screening and interventions to become effective. Self-reported frailty screening tools are very simple to use, not expensive and test results can be interpreted by non-health professionals. This work reviewed some of the commonly used frailty screening tools, and proposed a practical approach that would assist GPs in assessing frailty in older adults. Frailty Aged Screening Tools Primary Health Care Geriatrics 2020 6 01 64 69 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-166-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3417

12-193 2026-06-16 10.1002

Elderly Health Journal Elderly Health Journal 2423-6179 2423-6179 2020 6 1 Rita Vieira Alves rita.vieira.alves@gmail.com Marilia Fernandes Inês Figueired Diogo Drummond Borges Margarida Antunes Introduction: Studies to date describe between 3% to 50% of patients experiencing one or more clinical adverse event (CAE) during their hospital admission and many preventable. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the frequency of medical CAEs in a medical ward. Also the study aimed to compare data between patient age groups and determine the effect on length of hospital stay and mortality. Methods: This is a prospective study, consulting patients’ electronic clinical notes over 6 months . Every week, all patient electronic processes were reviewed, and CAEs noted. The episode was only noted if the episode was clearly labeled as a CAEs by the medical team in the patient´s notes. If confounding factors were present, this episode was excluded. Patients were grouped by age; compared in terms of demographics, comorbidities, diagnosis at admission and readmission rate. Primary outcomes included mean length of stay and mortality. Results: 62 episodes were studied, 14.8% of those admitted to hospital experienced a CAE. The most frequent adverse events included analytical alterations, anemia and blood loss, infection and altered state of consciousness. The most commonly implicated therapies were anticoagulants (23%) which lead to episodes of bleeding, anti-hypertensive and diuretics (17%) immunosuppressive therapy (16%) beta blockers (1%) and insulin (1%). Mean length of stay in hospital was 17 days in all groups, longer than the average length of stay of this medical ward which is 11 days. Mortality rate within one year of hospitalization was 30% in total, again significantly higher than the 10% mortality rate calculated for the same period on the ward. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that CAEs are still far too common, probably underestimated, cause serious harm to patients and strains healthcare services further.   Clinical Adverse Effect Inpatient Complication Side Effect 2020 6 01 70 72 http://ehj.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-193-en.pdf 10.18502/ehj.v6i1.3418