OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the proposal of a program of popular health education to healthy elderly in two communities in the city of Campinas and to assess the influence of this program on the habits of life and depressive symptoms of participants.
METHODS:
This is an exploratory study, prospective and interventional. Educational interventions were performed in 16 elderly subjects with ages ranging from 60 to 75 years (m=66.88±5.4years) who were divided into two groups with randomized pre-test design, intervention, posttest and follow-up, and the intervention consisted of a 150-minute weekly meeting, from August to December 2009. The measures included questionnaires and scales on sociodemographic, health and lifestyle and depressive symptoms. The programs are designed to themes chosen by the elderly.
RESULTS:
Statistical analysis showed improvement in time daily physical activity, improvement in daily consumption of vegetables for both groups, participants in one group had worsening in depressive symptoms at follow-up measure.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results suggest that such interventions can promote the physical and mental health of older people, reflected in changing health behaviors, also shows the importance of the social group for the reduction and maintenance of depressive symptoms in widows.
Health Education; Aging; Habits; Depression
