Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare the health promoting behavior in rural elderly people by complementary alternative medicine(CAM) utilization.
METHODS
The data were collected from March 06th to May 26th, 2006. The participants were 207 rural elderly persons in Korea. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with the SAS win 8.0 program.
RESULTS
The rate of using CAM was 60.9%. Non-religious, perceived poor health and high concerns about health group used it more. The most common type was oriental medicine(35.7%), the most common motive was body protection(21.2%) and major source of information was other patients(35.9%). Almost all the subjects(90%) were satisfied with using CAM. The average score for the health promoting behavior was 2.67+/-.32(range 1.65-3.71). The average scores for each subscale were, personal communication 2.98, self-actualization 2.79, nutrition 2.78, health responsibility 2.58, exercise 2.40, stress management 2.38. Significant differences in health promoting behavior were found according to CAM utilization: personal communication ,self actualization.
CONCLUSION
There were differences health promoting behavior between the elderly CAM utilization: Systemic guidelines of CAM use are needed.

• Keywords: Elderly; Complementary alternative medicine(CAM); Health promoting behavior