Self-efficacy in managing personal chronic health conditions among older people in selected communities of Cavite, Philippines

This study sought to explore the common chronic conditions affecting older people in selected communities of Cavite and the extent of their self-efficacy in managing those conditions. Utilizing the cross-sectional, descriptive design of quantitative research, the researcher recruited 255 participants, who were chosen using the judgmental sampling approach. The Stanford Patient Education Research Center tool, which was divided into 8 subsections about self-management capabilities including regular exercise, obtaining help from others, communicating with physician, managing disease in general, doing chores, social and recreational activities, managing symptoms, and controlling depression, was used for data gathering. Among several chronic conditions; hypertension, eye conditions, heart problems, bone and joint conditions, and diabetes; emerged as the most common. Regarding self-efficacy, older people are moderately confident that they can do regular exercise (x=3.18, S=1.43); highly confident that they can obtain help from others when they need it (x=3.57, S=.84); highly confident that they can communicate to others about their condition (x=3.71, S=.98); highly confident that they can manage their disease or condition in general (x=3.56, S=.91); moderately confident they can do their chores (x=3.38, S=1.10); moderately confident about their social or recreational activities (x=3.38, S=1.12); moderately confident they can manage the symptoms of their conditions (x=3.29, S=.95); and highly confident about controlling depression to happen (x=3.46, S=.92). The study also shows female older people have higher incidence of diabetes and blood conditions than men. Moreover, age was found to influence self-efficacy, particularly on areas such as, regular exercise (F=4.251, p=.006), doing chores (F=4.601, p=.004), involving in social/recreational activities (F=3.63, p=.014), and management of symptoms (F=3.673. p=.013), particularly between those aging 60 and below and 70 and above. It is therefore recommended that a community-based health education and counselling programs can be started by local authorities and even NGOs to improve self-efficacy of older people in managing their own chronic conditions particularly on areas like regular exercise, social or recreational activities, and managing symptoms of their chronic conditions.