ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF AN EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION ON BARRIERS TO SELF-PROVISION OF CARE NEEDS AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN LOW-INCOME SETTINGS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background: The elderly population in low-income settings often faces significant barriers to self-provision of care needs, impacting their independence and quality of life. This study evaluates the effects of an educational intervention designed to reduce these barriers among older adults.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in selected communities in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. A total of 185 elderly individuals aged 65 and above were enrolled, with 94 in the intervention group and 73 in the control group. The intervention consisted of seven weekly educational sessions focusing on self-care activities, hygiene, nutrition, and medication adherence. Barriers to self-provision of care needs were assessed using standardized questionnaires before and after the intervention.

Results: Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in barriers to care needs, with a mean of 2.61 ± 1.89 compared to 4.47 ± 1.68 pre-intervention (t = 6.615, p < 0.001). In contrast, the control group reported a mean of 2.94 ± 1.60 post-intervention, down from 3.37 ± 1.56 pre-intervention, but this change was not statistically significant (t = 1.500, p = 0.136). Key areas of improvement in the intervention group included a reduction in reported barriers related to medication management and familial relationships, with only 11.4% expressing an inability to care for their medications post-intervention compared to 47.9% pre-intervention.

Conclusions: The educational intervention effectively reduced barriers to self-provision of care among older adults, highlighting the importance of structured educational programs in enhancing self-care abilities in low-income settings. These findings advocate for the implementation of similar initiatives to empower elderly populations, ultimately improving their health outcomes and quality of life.