Guo Guifang, Phillips Linda
University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
Public Health Nurs. 2006 May-Jun;23(3):224-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2006.230304.x.
This study was part of a systematic assessment to gain an understanding of aging in a rural community along the U.S.-Mexico border in Arizona.
It used a participatory action research design. Interviews were conducted among key informants (n = 29), including health and social services providers and community leaders. Content analysis focused on identifying common themes and concerns related to elders.
Major themes identified were (1) social infrastructure issues, (2) community awareness of health problems, (3) socioeconomic problems, (4) cultural influences on health beliefs, practice, and use of services, (5) image of aging, (6) border issues, and (7) educational needs for service providers.
Elders living at the border are a particularly vulnerable population with strong cultural affiliations and health disparities. Although the population of elders has been growing at the border, the traditional focus on the health care needs of youth and children has contributed to the neglect of issues facing elders. This study provided community key informants' perspective of aging to community members, policy makers, service agencies, and health care providers for community development. A conceptual framework was developed for educational programs and research projects for health professionals who care for elders at the border.
本研究是一项系统评估的一部分，旨在了解亚利桑那州美墨边境一个农村社区的老龄化情况。
采用参与式行动研究设计。对关键信息提供者（n = 29）进行了访谈，包括卫生和社会服务提供者以及社区领袖。内容分析侧重于确定与老年人相关的共同主题和关注点。
确定的主要主题包括：（1）社会基础设施问题；（2）社区对健康问题的认识；（3）社会经济问题；（4）文化对健康观念、实践和服务使用的影响；（5）老龄化形象；（6）边境问题；（7）服务提供者的教育需求。
生活在边境的老年人是一个特别脆弱的群体，有着强烈的文化归属感和健康差异。尽管边境地区的老年人口一直在增长，但传统上对青年和儿童医疗保健需求的关注导致了对老年人面临问题的忽视。本研究为社区成员、政策制定者、服务机构和医疗保健提供者提供了社区关键信息提供者对老龄化的看法，以促进社区发展。为在边境照顾老年人的卫生专业人员的教育项目和研究项目制定了一个概念框架。
