Abstract
[Purpose] This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the kinds of thermometers used by elderly individuals living in City A and whether they are able to 1) insert an axillary thermometer correctly, 2) wipe axillary sweat before inserting a thermometer, and 3) clean the thermometer after measuring their body temperature.
[Methods] We collected data from July to September 2015 and recruited participants from senior centers managed by City A. Questionnaires were primarily collected by the placement method and by postal mail. We performed chi-square tests to determine the differences in thermometer use by sex and age group (young-elderly and old-elderly) and the relationship between participants’ sources of health information and thermometer use.
[Results] We recruited 745 participants and obtained 627 responses (response rate 84.2%). After cleaning, data from 515 seniors (39.6% male, 73.7±5.4 years, 65–91 years) were used. The analyses showed that among seniors in the final sample, 416 (80.8%) used a digital axillary thermometer and 78 (15.1%) used a mercury thermometer. A total of 88 seniors (19.6%) answered the question on how to insert a thermometer, correctly. Significantly more seniors who answered the question correctly obtained health information at health seminars than those who answered incorrectly. We found that 78.6% of respondents wiped armpit sweat before measuring their temperature and 34.6% cleaned the thermometer after use; the rate of implementation of these actions was significantly lower among men aged 65–74 years (young-elderly) than among men or women aged ≥75 years (old-elderly).
[Conclusion] These results show that less than 20% of seniors use a thermometer hygienically and, compared with other groups, young-elderly men were less likely to wipe their armpits and clean their thermometer. Mercury thermometers are still used in many households. We suggest that medical professionals take more care in educating seniors about appropriate thermometer use.
