International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2013): 6.14 | Impact Factor (2014): 5.611 Volume 5 Issue 3, March 2016 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Self-Care Practices of Common Cold and Influenza among the Elderly in Alexandria, Egypt Hala Kadry Ibrahim 1 , Heba Mahmoud Elkady 2 1 Public Health Nursing, Family Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University 2 Geriatric Health, Family Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University Abstract: Background : Self-care is the most common and fundamental form of health care. Aim : The aim of this study was to explore the self-care practices of cold and influenza among the elders. Subjects and methods : A cross-sectional design was used over a period of three months (January-March 2014). Interviews were conducted with 192 elders recruited from all elderly clubs in Alexandria. Results : Hot / cold fluids intake and administration of medications were the most common categories of self-care practices (97.9% and 89.1% respectively). The most commonly used medications were aspirin and analgesics (97.1%), followed by antitussives (70.2%) and antibiotics (48.5%). Regarding seeking physician help, only one third of the elders (35.4%) reported they would visit a physician. The most common criterion mentioned for seeking professional assistance was unusual patterns of symptoms (42.6%) and increased severity of symptoms (39.8%). The results also showed that the highest percentage of elders (63.0%) used traditional medicine during their illness. While, only 7.8 % of the elders obtained influenza vaccine. Conclusion : Elders were very active self-care agents, reporting both a large number and a variety of cold and influenza related self-care actions. Clearly, further research about general patterns and specific self-care actions taken by elderly in response to a variety of health deviations is needed. Keywords: Self-care, common cold, influenza (flu), elderly. 1. Introduction Upper respiratory infections or colds are inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by many different virus strains that cannot be cured by antibiotics. They have to be differentiated from influenza which is a very common respiratory illness. It usually occurs in 15-25% of the world’s human population each year (Rush et al., 2006). This illness typically has a low death rate, with average overall mortality rates of 0.1% or less. However, influenza carries much higher rates of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and other vulnerable populations, and thus it is of special interest to geriatricians and public health physicians (Nahas et al., 2011). Influenza is much more likely to result in hospitalization and death in the elderly than in young persons. As many as 35,000 excess geriatric deaths due to pneumonia and influenza occur during influenza epidemics each year (Conn, 2001). Older adults and people with chronic diseases are at the greatest risk of problems associated with seasonal flu. Of all age groups, individuals older than age 84 have the highest risk of dying from seasonal flu complications (Dean 1986). Most developed countries offer elderly people vaccination against predicted influenza strains for the next season. However, the age related decline of immune function reduces the ability of elderly patients to respond to the influenza vaccine, and the vaccine is less effective in patients with chronic diseases (Nahas et al., 2011). Surveys suggest that the main reasons for refusing the vaccination are fear of side effects, fear that vaccinations will cause influenza, dislike of injections, being unaware that the vaccination is useful or available, and lack of time or forgetfulness (Rush et al., 2006). The challenge to the health services is to overturn the misconceptions and provide an easy access service within which there are no reasons to refuse vaccination (Conn, 2001). On average, individuals older than 60 have less than one cold a year. Only symptomatic treatment is available for uncomplicated cases of the common cold: bed rest, plenty of fluids, gargling with warm salt water, petroleum jelly for a raw nose, and aspirin or acetaminophen to relieve headache or fever (Nahas et al., 2011). There are many over-the-counter common cold medications that include decongestants, cough syrups, nasal drops and antihistamines (Lowe et al., 2009). The decision to seek medical care will be affected by factors such as age, existing health problems, having heart or lung disease, having a chronic condition that requires regular medical attention, being frail, or immunesupression (Figueiras et al., 2000). Much of the time, home treatment and self care can relieve most symptoms and reduce the risk for further problems. Self care measures include taking basic pain/fever relievers and using a hot water bottle or heating pad (British Columbia Health Files, 2006). In elders, medical care should be sought right away if any of the following symptoms are present: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or stomach, confusion or disorientation, coughing up bloody sputum, severe vomiting or if symptoms improve and then suddenly become worse (Conn, 2001). One definition of self-care is the performance by consumers of activities traditionally carried out by health care providers (Zapka and Barry, 2009). Although self- care has its roots outside the traditional medical system, the concept is increasingly considered for integration within established health programs (Zapka and Estabrook, 2006). This trend needs to be carefully evaluated with respect to educational effectiveness, patient behavior variables, medical result, patient/provider acceptance, as well as cost benefit (Becker, 2007). Paper ID: NOV161947 881