2022 Volume 11 Issue 3 Pages 152-162
Objective: This study aims to identify factors related to the behaviour of older adults with regards to receiving health examinations and cancer screenings (hereafter referred to as health behaviours), focusing on the media through which older adults obtain information regarding health behaviours.
Method: An anonymous self-reporting questionnaire was delivered by mail to 500 participants aged 65–84 years. Items on the questionnaire were based on the Health Belief Model and included questions about health behaviours and the availability of information about health examinations and cancer screenings. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed.
Results: There were 264 valid responses. The items that were significantly associated with health behaviours were as follows: “anxiety is reduced” (OR=4.68), “undergoing health checkups/cancer screenings is troublesome” (OR=0.37), “not necessary because of hospitalisation or hospital visit” (OR=0.43), and “government office/public health centres as the medium for obtaining information” (OR=1.63).
Discussion: Perceived benefits of health examinations are important for the health behaviour of older adults. In addition, information from government agencies may have led to older adults trusting the information, which in turn influenced the health behaviours.
