HOME HEALTHCARE NEEDS AMONG OLDER ADULTS: DEMOGRAPHIC, CLINICAL, AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS
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Background
Vietnam is experiencing rapid population aging, creating increased demand for healthcare services tailored to older adults. This study aimed to determine the need for home healthcare services among older adults in Da Nang and identify key demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors associated with this need.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2023 involving 667 adults aged ≥60 years in Da Nang City, Vietnam. Multi-stage sampling was used to select participants from three districts. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, health status, chronic diseases, and psychosocial factors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of home healthcare service needs.
Results
The majority of participants (82.9%) expressed a need for home healthcare services. Significant independent predictors included advanced age (OR=2.88, 95% CI:1.51-5.49 for >70 years), female gender (OR=1.94, 95% CI:1.19-3.15), education below high school level (OR=2.60, 95% CI:1.54-4.40), cardiovascular disease (OR=2.89, 95% CI:1.59-5.24), and adaptability to new healthcare services (OR=2.95, 95% CI:1.80-4.85). The presence of two chronic diseases significantly increased the likelihood of needing home healthcare compared to having none (OR=4.06, 95% CI:1.55-10.61).
Conclusions
There is substantial need for home healthcare services among older adults in Da Nang, influenced by a complex interplay of demographic, health-related, and psychosocial factors. Adaptability to new healthcare services emerged as the strongest predictor alongside age, gender, education, and cardiovascular disease status. These findings can inform evidence-based policy and program development to better meet the healthcare needs of Vietnam’s aging population while supporting their preferences to age in place.
