Establishing activity centers for elderly people in metropolitan areas of Vietnam: preference and willingness-to-pay

• Main Authors: Nguyen TTH, Nguyen TX, Pham T, Nguyen CT, Thu Vu G, Nguyen LH, Tran BX, Vu HTT, Latkin CA, Ho CSH, Ho RCM
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2019-09-01
• Series: Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
• Subjects: activity center; older people; elderly; Vietnam
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/establishing-activity-centers-for-elderly-people-in-metropolitan-areas-peer-reviewed-article-JMDH

Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen,1–3 Thanh Xuan Nguyen,1,3 Thang Pham,1,3 Cuong Tat Nguyen,4 Giang Thu Vu,5 Long Hoang Nguyen,6 Bach Xuan Tran,7,8 Huyen Thi Thanh Vu,1,3 Carl A Latkin,8 Cyrus SH Ho,9 Roger CM Ho6,10 1Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam; 2Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi, Vietnam; 3Department of Gerontology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 4Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam; 5Center of Excellence in Evidence-based Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 6Center of Excellence in Behavioral Medicine, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 7Institute for Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam; 8Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; 9Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore; 10Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, SingaporeCorrespondence: Thu Thi Hoai NguyenNational Geriatric Hospital, 1A Phuong Mai, Hanoi 100000, VietnamTel [phone]Email [e-mail] and aim: The activity center (AC), an effective model for health support and health-related quality of life improvements for older people, has been operating for many years worldwide. This study aimed to assess the necessity of and preference for attending AC and its desired functions and facilities in elderly people in Vietnam.Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at parks and senior clubs, with 121 participants from 6 February to 20 April 2017, in Hanoi. The health status, preference, and willingness-to-pay for AC use of respondents were assessed.Results: Over 75% of respondents agreed to establish an AC for older people. Among them, approximately 71.7% were willing to pay a monthly fee for this center. Elderly individuals who obtain regular physical examination when feeling pain/discomfort and who were participating in clubs for elder people were more likely to agree to establish and pay for an AC. Meanwhile, women who have to take care of grandchildren, people who were saving money and people who had children working in organizations or who were freelancers were less likely to agree to establish and pay for AC.Conclusion: The results suggest the feasibility of establishment of ACs in Vietnam, with a high proportion of participants agreeing to such establishing and willing to pay for the AC.Keywords: activity center, older people, elderly, Vietnam