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Age and Ageing 2002; 31: 463-467
© 2002, British Geriatrics Society

Short report

Feasibility and yield of a self-administered questionnaire for health risk appraisal in older people in three European countries

Andreas E. Stuck1, P. Elkuch1, U. Dapp2, J. Anders2, S. Iliffe3 and Cameron G. Swift4

1 Department of Geriatrics and Rehabilitation, Spital Bern Ziegler, Morillonstr. 75, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
2 Albertinen-Haus Geriatrics Centre Hamburg, Sellhopsweg 18–22, D-22459 Hamburg, Germany
3 Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK
4 Department of Health Care of the Elderly, GKT School of Medicine, East Dulwich Grove, London SE22 8PT, UK

Abstract

Objective: to test the feasibility of a self-administered questionnaire for health risk appraisal in older people.

Methods: a scientifically updated and culturally adapted English and German language version of the Health Risk Appraisal for Older Persons self-administered questionnaire identifying risk factors for functional impairment in older people was administered to three samples of older people (UK: Urban-based general practitioner list, n=348; Switzerland: Community-based lists in rural/suburban area, n=213; Germany: Occupants of residential care facilities, n=149).

Results: the majority of people judged the questionnaire as easy to comprehend (UK 81.4%; Switzerland 97.2%; Germany 93.1%) and to complete (83.2%, 95.8%, 91.4%). Prevalence of risk factors was higher than 10% at each site for excessive fat intake (25–54%), lack of social activity (15–47%), low physical activity (28–46%), impaired vision (17–38%), impaired hearing (23–25%), and urinary incontinence (13–37%). Uptake of recommended preventive health measures, including screening and vaccination was below 50% in more than half of recommended items, with large variations between sites.

Discussion: acceptance of the adapted Health Risk Appraisal for Older Persons questionnaire was high and its feasibility supported. The findings identified a high prevalence of potentially modifiable risk factors for ill health and disability in older people with large variations in prevalence rates and awareness between sites. The yield supports the further development and evaluation of the approach.

Keywords: aged, prevention, health promotion, health risk appraisal, risk factor


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