Some sociomedical factors influencing health awareness of the old in the area of nosocomial infections

Introduction. Available gerontological research provides information saying that in the seventies of the last century in Poland the demographic
old age threshold was exceeded, which brought about numerous medical, social and economic predicaments. In the old along with
a phenomenon of multi-illness syndromes, an atypical disease course and a prolonged convalescence can be observed. In the case of
geriatric patients there is a need for advanced preventive methods, education and wide range of care because of negative ageing properties
overlapping and chronic diseases. Recent observations indicating an increasing demand for a number of programme studies in the areas
of nosocomial infections and disease negative consequences prevention. These days there is a call for and necessity of gerontological
education (geragogics) development, which according to American researchers concentrates on education as an essential means of the
qualitative life assurance at the old age.

Aim of the study. The aim of the research is a psychosocial selected subjective health assessment by the elderly and their level of health
awareness.

Material and methods. The research was carried out by means of the questionnaire survey done to examine 51 old people after hospitalization
(35 women, 16 men), 60–79 old. The questionnaire was employed to evaluate health condition in the area of physical efficiency,
psychosocial functions and patients’ general opinions about their health after hospitalization.
Results. Most of the examined were people with low health self-assessment, health and psychosocial problems.

Conclusions. The insufficient health awareness level of the examined indicated a necessity of implementation of education programmes
and easy access to health promotion institutions among elderly.

Nursing Topics 2010; 18 (2): 151-157