요양보호사의 영양지식과 영양태도

Nutrition Knowledge and Nutrition Attitudes of Caregivers

Objectives : Many older adults have gastrointestinal disorders and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Nutrition knowledge and attitude of caregivers who visit and participate in providing meals for the elderly, especially those with chronic diseases, may affect the nutrient intake and health status of the care recipients. The purpose of this study was to investigate general nutritional knowledge and disease-related nutrition knowledge of caregivers and their association with nutrition attitude. Methods : Surveys were conducted by questionnaire either online or offline. Subject characteristics, general nutrition knowledge, disease-related nutrition knowledge (gastrointestinal tract diseases, CVD, and DM), nutrition attitude toward oneself and toward the care-recipient were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed by χ2-test, Wilcoxon Rank-sum test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Spearman’s correlation. Results : Among the 251 caregivers that completed the survey, 76% worked in the homes of the care recipients. Mean age was 57.6(± 8.5) years. Nutrition knowledge was not associated with years of experience as a caregiver or additional nutrition education. Participants’ percentage of correct answers was relatively low for nutrition knowledge that changed over the years. General and disease-related nutrition knowledge of caregivers were positively correlated with nutrition attitude. Caregivers who put top priority on ‘nutrition’ and ‘care recipients disease’ had higher nutrition knowledge. Nutrition attitude was lower towards care recipients compared to that towards ones own intake. Conclusions : Nutrition attitude was positively associated with nutrition knowledge in caregivers, although nutrition knowledge did not differ by additional nutrition education. More effective strategies for caregivers to acquire recent nutrition knowledge and apply them more effectively to care-recipients are needed.