@2024 Afarand., IRAN

---

ISSN: 2383-2150    Journal of Education and Community Health 2017;4(3):19-25

Background
Considering the growing number of elderly people and aging disability, social isolation of the elderly and the role of health in reducing social isolation should be considered.
Previous Studies
[1-7] ... In fact, depression and social isolation have involved the elderly through the transition of traditional to modern society in Iran. The poor physical and health status makes the elderly vulnerable to isolation, and for many elderly, loneliness and isolation at the end of life are an unpleasant and erosion phenomenon [8]. … [9]. The results of the research by Martina et al. indicated that educational and social activities of people with social isolation can reduce social isolation and loneliness among the elderly [10]. On the other hand, a study by Cornwell & Waite at the University of Chicago reported that the lack of social communication has not always been associated with loneliness and social isolation, and because the objective and subjective isolation are different concepts, they may be independently linked to health [5]. … [11-13].
Aim(s)
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social isolation and health in the elderly in Tehran, Iran.
Research type
This research was a cross-sectional correlational study.
Research society, place and time
This study was conducted on 382 elderlies aged 65 years old and older in Tehran, Iran in 2017.
Sampling method and number
Based on multistage cluster sampling method, at first the Tehran city divided into 5 areas: north, south, west, east and center, and then the list of districts in each area was prepared. Subsequently, one district was selected from each area and in total 5 districts (1, 4, 6, 17, 21) were selected and the list of neighborhoods in these districts was obtained. In the next stage, in each district, 3 neighborhoods (15 neighborhoods) were randomly selected and the elderly information of each neighborhood was obtained from the relevant district health center. After collecting lists and specifications of the elderly in each neighborhood, stratified random sampling method was used to select the elderly to complete the questionnaire. The inclusion criteria were the willingness of samples to participate in the research, the age range of 65 years and older, and residence in the 5 considered areas (1,4,6,17,21) in Tehran. Incomplete answer to the questionnaires was also considered as the exclusion criterion.
Used devices&materials
Data collection was done by using a questionnaire and five trained researchers participated in the introducing session and the samples were provided with instructions and guidelines for completing the questionnaires. They randomly referred to the subjects and based on instructions and via interviews collected data completed the questionnaires. Mental health of elderly was measured using the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) questionnaire of 12 questions [14]. Keizer Social Health Questionnaire was also used to measure social health. The social isolation level of the elderly was measured using the Chalabi & Amirkaphi questionnaire. For measuring the physical health of the elderly, 7 questions available in physical health subscale of the Goldberg questionnaire (28-item scale) as well as daily living activities (ADL) questionnaire were used. Data was analyzed by SPSS 22 using descriptive and analytical analyses. One-dimensional tables were used to describe the research findings and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data.
Findings by Text
The mean age of participants in the study was 72.2±6.69 years and 69.5% of the subjects were younger elderly (65-69 years old), 24.5% were old (70-79 years old) and 6% were older elderly (80 years and older). Also, 55% (210 subjects) of the participants were male elderly and 70% (267) had spouses. 66.1% (253 subjects) were illiterate or had primary education, 22.2% (85 persons) had a diploma and 12.3% (47 subjects) had above diploma education. The physical, mental and social health of elderly subjects is presented in Table 1. According to the findings, 52.4% of the subjects had physical health, 56.8% had social health and 60.5% had mental health. The social isolation status of elderly subjects participating in the research is presented in Table 2. According to the findings, the average social isolation of the elderly was about 62%; therefore, the elderly subjects living Tehran had a high level of social isolation. Studying the dimensions of social isolation in the elderly showed that the dimensions, including associative links (81.8%) and instrumental social capital (78.2%) had the highest levels of isolation. On the other hand, the lowest level of isolation is experienced in the family relationship, and about 33% of the elderly have experienced social isolation in their family relationships. The results of Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that there was a significant and inverse relationship between mental health (r=-0.456; p=0.001) and social health (r=-0.325; p=0.017) in elderly and their social isolation; In other words, an increase in mental and social health results in a reduction in social isolation, but there was no significant relationship between physical health and social isolation of the elderly (P=0.314; Table 3).
Main comparison to the similar studies
… [15-18]. The results of this study showed that the average social isolation of the elderly was about 62%, which indicates the high level of social isolation in the elderly in Tehran. This finding is consistent with the results of the Kalantari & Hosseinizadeh [19] study, in which the average social isolation of elderly living in Tehran was 62.94%, indicating the high level of social isolation in Tehran. … [20-23]. In this study included physical, mental and physical health dimensions were considered to assess health [24]. The results showed that the elderly in Tehran had moderate health status, and about 52% of respondents had physical health, about 57% had social health and 60.5% of them had mental health. The findings of Sharifi et al. research also showed that mental health status in elderly living in Tehran is much worse than other countries [25]. In Cornwell & Waite study, the objective and mental isolation were independently associated with health [5]. According to Hortulatus et al., 68% of isolated individuals suffer from a chronic disease [6]…. [26-32].
Suggestions
Designing and performing educational programs aimed at improving the health of the elderly to reduce their social isolation is suggested.
Limitations
The low level of education of respondents can be considered as the limitations of this research.
Conclusions
There is a reverse relationship between health and social isolation in the elderly and having mental and social health can have a positive impact on reducing social isolation among elderly.
Acknowledgments
All elderly who helped us to perform the research are appreciated.
Conflict of interest
None declared.
Ethical Permissions

Funding Sources

TABLES and CHARTS

Show attach file