Introduction

The aging of the population receiving treatment in primary health care has resulted in the search for new solutions through health promotion and health education, to show that at every age changing one’s lifestyle to include health behaviours affecting the health maintenance and strengthening is possible. The aim of the study was to investigate the health behaviours of the elderly in urban and rural environments receiving treatment at primary health care facilities.

Material and methods

301 respondents took part in the study: 67.4% (n = 204) females, 32.6% (n = 97) males; average age: 75.14 ±8.31 years (min = 60, max = 102); 184 patients (61.1%) from urban and 117 (38.9%) from rural environments. A diagnostic survey method with standardised research tool was used: Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI).

Results

The overall rate of health behaviours of urban residents was higher, compared to the rural ones, achieving average or high results. The overall rate of health behaviour HBI (rHO = 0.19; p < 0.01), healthy eating habits (rHO = 0.16; p < 0.05), preventive behaviours (rHO = 0.17; p < 0.05), and health practices (rHO = 0.179; p < 0.05) all increased with age. The analysis showed that rural residents obtained higher scores in positive mental attitude t(194.12) = 1.72; p = 0.045. Females more often obtained better results in healthy eating habits c2 (1) = 15.79; p < 0.001, positive mental attitude c2 (1) = 9.88; p < 0.01, and used health practices c2 (1) = 9.51; p < 0.01. Health behaviours of the elderly population from urban environments were at high and average level and increased with age. Rural respondents obtained higher results only in positive mental attitude. Sex was a predictor affecting the overall rate and all categories: healthy eating habits, positive mental attitude, and use of health practices.