Abstract

The meaning of health for Iranian elderly: A qualitative content analysis

Health can be described as a dynamic abstract, multidimensional and culturally oriented concept. Every person may have a different perception of health which influences his/her health-related behaviors. The purpose of this qualitative study was to discover the meaning of health in a group of the Iranian elderly. A phenomenological method (Benner's interpretive phenomenology) has been utilized with semi-structured interviews. Responses were transcribed and verbatim and then analyzed qualitatively for themes and categories. Fourteen elderly persons aged over 65participated in the study. From the analysis of data in this research three major concepts emerged from the participants'viewpoints about the meaning of health;Physical and mental well-being in carrying out normal daily activities, having faith in religious matters and the shadow effect of older people's family members’ health on their health. It is important that policy makers in health care systems investigate taken for granted concepts such as health and illness periodically, in order to plan for proper health promotion and health management programs particularly in specific groups like the elderly.

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