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The Association between the Self-Management of Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life of Elderly Populations in Rural Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

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  • Ryuichi Ohta

    (Community Care, Unnan City Hospital, Unnan, 96-1 Iida, Daito-cho, Unnan 699-1221, Japan
    Department of Primary Care and Medical Education, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan)

  • Mikiya Sato

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
    Health Services Center, Occupational Safety and Health Department, Human Resources Group, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., Tokyo 141-6025, Japan)

  • Jun Kitayuguchi

    (Physical Education and Medicine Research Center Unnan, Unnan 699-1105, Japan)

  • Tetsuhiro Maeno

    (Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan)

  • Chiaki Sano

    (Department of Community Medicine Management, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya cho, Izumo 693-8501, Japan)

Abstract

Maintaining people’s health based on their help-seeking behavior (HSB) regarding mild symptoms is essential. An effective HSB, especially self-management, can facilitate the attainment of appropriate healthcare resources and affect health outcomes such as quality of life (QOL). However, clear evidence regarding the relationship between self-management, mild symptoms, and QOL is unavailable. Therefore, this cross-sectional study investigated this association in a rural elderly population. The participants, aged over 65 years, were living in rural communities. The primary outcome of QOL was examined using the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L). After adjusting for propensity score matching, 298 participants in the self-management usage group were matched with 298 in the group not using self-management. The most frequent HSB trend was consulting with primary care physicians, followed by self-care, consulting with families, utilizing home medicines, and buying medicines. The EQ-5D-5L scores were statistically higher in the self-management usage group than in the other group. The HSBs with a trend of using self-management were related to a high QOL. Self-management of symptoms along with other HSBs can improve elderly HSBs in rural contexts. Educational interventions and system development for HSBs in rural contexts could be effective in enhancing the QOL of rural elderly populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryuichi Ohta & Mikiya Sato & Jun Kitayuguchi & Tetsuhiro Maeno & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "The Association between the Self-Management of Mild Symptoms and Quality of Life of Elderly Populations in Rural Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-10, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8857-:d:619631
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    5. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Jun Kitayuguchi & Chiaki Sano & Karen D. Könings, 2021. "Educational Intervention to Improve Citizen’s Healthcare Participation Perception in Rural Japanese Communities: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-11, February.
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    7. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Daisuke Kataoka & Chiaki Sano, 2021. "Effectiveness and Challenges in Local Self-Governance: Multifunctional Autonomy in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Marc Audi & Amjad Ali, 2023. "The Role of Environmental Conditions and Purchasing Power Parity in Determining Quality of Life among Big Asian Cities," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(3), pages 292-305, May.
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    4. Ryuichi Ohta & Takuji Katsube & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Challenges in Help-Seeking Behaviors among Rural Older People Mitigated through Family Physician-Driven Outreach: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-8, December.
    5. Ryuichi Ohta & Emily Weiss & Magda Mekky & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Relationship between Dysphagia and Home Discharge among Older Patients Receiving Hospital Rehabilitation in Rural Japan: A Retrospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Ryuichi Ohta & Yoshinori Ryu & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Improvement in Quality of Life through Self-Management of Mild Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-9, May.
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    8. Ryuichi Ohta & Chiaki Sano, 2022. "Associations between Perception of Help-Seeking Behaviors and Quality of Life among Older People in Rural Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-10, October.

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