Barriers and facilitators in health-related learning among Chinese third agers

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Third agers are evidenced as a vulnerable group with lower awareness of self-care and more unhealthy behaviours than others in different ages. This study aims to explore third agers’ barriers and facilitators in health-related learning by their educational level. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted from March to June 2005 in Hong Kong. Chi-square tests were employed to examine difference in barriers and facilitators in health-related learning by educational level (3 levels: tertiary, Grade 10-12, ≤ Grade 9). Of the 1,625 questionnaires sent out, 800 (49.2%) were returned and 797 were valid for analysis. Results: Of the 797 subjects, 64% were females. Those with tertiary education perceived “no companion” (tertiary, Grade 10-12, ≤ Grade 9) (15%, 9%, 8%, p=.05) and “too busy” (66%, 38%, 36%, p<.01) as the key barriers to health-related learning. On the contrary, those with lower educational level considered “poor memory” (25%, 34%, 31%, p<.05), “no financial support” (17%, 32%, 36%, p<.01) and “low educational level” (2%, 12%, 26%, p<.01) as the barriers. More educated subjects preferred “someone to teach me” in health education (56%, 59%, 42%, p<.01) while those with lower educational level considered “having financial support” as the facilitator (33%, 46%, 45%, p<.01). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results provided useful information on the barriers and facilitators to health-related learning activities among Chinese third agers. Attention should be paid to individuals’ educational level and the identified barriers in learning as these might play some roles in affecting their readiness to learn health information.