Assessment of Old Age Behaviors Toward Cardiovascular Health Promotion

Objectives : To assess old age behaviors toward cardiovascular health promotion, and to find out the association between old age behaviors toward cardiovascular health promotion with certain sociodemographic characteristic and chronic disease and significant differences in old age health promotive behaviors with respect to the type of geriatric home residence. Methodology : A descriptive study is conducted throughout the period from April 12 th 2022 to June 1 st , 2023, to assess the old age behaviors toward cardiovascular health promotion. A purposive sample of (140) old age were selected from males and female’s participants from public and private Geriatric Homes at Baghdad City. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was performed. Data statistical analysis was done through the use of the descriptive and inferential statistical parameters by the SPSS program version (26). Results : The study result indicates that the study subjects have fair level of health promotive behaviors related to CVDs at their physical activities, dietary patterns, medications use, psychological and mental wellbeing, and seeking for health care. Demographic data and general health statues among elderly in geriatric homes had an impact upon their health promotive behaviors toward CVDs. Conclusion : The findings indicate that the majority of the elderly studied exhibit fair and reasonable level of CVDs health promotion behaviors. These behaviors demand a significant degree of lifestyle modification and are also difficult. Thus, the elderly cannot totally adhere to such activities. Recommendations: The study recommends for create a courses for small group counselling that will educate elderly about the importance of a healthy behaviors and its relationship with having CVDs. Implementing and bolstering health education programs through establishing joint effort between the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health in order to improve the CVDs health promotion behaviors of residents of geriatric care facilities.


Introduction
The prevalence of risky activities varies by gender and increases with age; nonetheless, elderly males appear to participate in riskier behaviors concurrently than elderly women.
The community as a whole is regularly affected by health-risk behaviors. Some parts of wellness are beyond our control. Thus, it is essential to learn how to manage health-risk behaviors. The beneficial transition from an unhealthy to a healthy lifestyle can benefit . (1) everyone in one's social network According to the Jordanian Ministry of Health (JMOH), cardiovascular diseases accounted for 33% of all deaths in 2011 (2) . In Japan, there are 0.9 million people with coronary heart disease and almost 50,000 people die annually from myocardial infarction. 30% to 35% of Iranians are affected by coronary artery disease, and the fatality rate has grown from 20% to 25% in 1985 to 35% to 40% now (3) . The AHA states CVDs is the leading cause of death in the US (USA). CADs caused 43.2% of fatalities. CVDs is caused by fatty deposits on artery walls, which harden them. The World Heart Federation (WHF) divides potential risk factors for CVDs in old age into two categories: those that cannot be changed, such as age and gender, and those that can, such as smoking, eating unhealthy, having high blood pressure or cholesterol, being inactive or obese, or having diabetes mellitus (DM), which is promoted by changes in old age behaviors (4) . In Iraq, cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality due to disease. In emerging nations such as Iraq, there are currently alarming signals of an increasing CVDs risk among the elderly. In addition, the coronary tree is affected by more severe lesions in older patients with clusters of cardiovascular risk factors who develop CAD early in the disease's progression. The bulk of non-communicable disease deaths are attributable to cardiovascular disease (CVDs) (5).
Health promotion is a significant factor in determining elderly health state, and this senior is responsible for his own health. In addition to preventing diseases, reducing morbidities and mortalities, enhancing quality of life, and lowering health-care expenditures, health-promoting behaviors strive to achieve a better level of wellness, self-actualization, and personal fulfillment. A healthy lifestyle and health-promoting activities must be considered the most significant strategy for promoting and maintaining the health of the elderly (6) .

Methodology
Descriptive study design using the assessment approach to assess the old age behaviors in Bagdad Governorate.
A purposive sample of (140) old age is selected through the use of non-probability sampling method. The study sample includes old age males and female's participants from public and private Geriatric Homes at Baghdad city. They were selected according to following criteria: a. Inclusive criteria that include 1.
elderly whose age is 60-year-old and over, 2.
The elderly who are permanent residents of Geriatric Homes in Baghdad City.
b. Exclusive Criteria that include 1.
Psychological and Mental Well-being composed of (11) items; E. Seeking Health Care composed of (9) items. The old age health promotion behavior items are scored to three-level Likert scale as (3) for always, (2) for sometimes, and (1) (26).

Results
Table (   found there is no significant relationship between old age marital status, at p-value more than 0.05 (7).
The study reported that participant smoking status recorded no significant differences at P>0.05 (2) .