Respiratory Infections Prevention in Rural Older Adults: An Interventional Study

Respiratory tract infections are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in older adults. This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on respiratory infections prevention (RIP) in rural older adults. The study sample composed of 80 older adults from a rural area, randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group (n = 40) received ten 1-hour twice-weekly sessions and the control group (n = 40) received no intervention. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were done using measures of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding RIP. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, independent samples t-test, and paired t-test were used for data analysis. The study findings showed that the study intervention resulted in statistically significant improvements in the intervention group’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding RIP compared with the control group (p <.01). The educational intervention was effective and could be used to help rural older adults prevent respiratory infections.