A Comparative Study on Life-Style of Elders Affected and Not Affected by Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Guilan, Iran

Life-style is one of the most important factors affecting health, which can counteract with various pathogenic risk factors through identification and management of it.

This study aimed to compare life-style of elders affected and not affected by intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs).

This case-control study was conducted on 190 elders aged ≥60 years old (30 individuals: affected, 160 individuals were non-affected by IPI) who referred to health centers in Gilan province (2017-2018). Sampling was random and the samples were transferred from the health centers to the laboratory of the medical school in east of Guilan. Using direct wet smear (microscopic examination), formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques and Ziehl Neelson’s stain, stool samples were examined for IPIs. Data were collected using Babak's healthy life-style questionnaire for the elderly and analysed in SPSS v.21 software.

The majority of the participants were in the age range of 60-69 years (63.2%) and illiterate (55.8%). Most of the elders had moderate life-style (62.1%). In the significant dimensions (exercise, prevention, nutrition, stress management and total), mean and median score of life-style in elders non-affected by IPI were higher than affected ones (P<0.05). In addition to IPI, age, presence of chronic disease, living with spouse, BMI and educational level are among the factors related to life-style in the elderly (P<0.05).

Identifying factors related to healthy life-style has important role in change and promotion of elders’ life-style. Performing interventions in order to enhance elders’ awareness to modify and improve life-style is essential.