Background The prevalence of dependency personality disorder (DPD) is high among elderly people living in rural areas. This study aims to explore the association between dependency on community resources and social support among elderly individuals living in rural areas. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 26 locations in China. A total of 1160 participants aged ≥ 60 years were selected using a complex multistage sampling design. All data were obtained using questionnaires via face-to-face interviews. DPD was measured using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II in the standardized Chinese version. Self-efficacy was assessed using the Chinese version of the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Social support was measured using the Chinese version of the questionnaires of the Older American Resources and Services scale. Community services and resources comprised 44 items. The association between DPD and levels of social support and self-efficacy was evaluated using a logistic regression model. The association between social support and self-efficacy was assessed using analysis of covariance. Results Univariate analysis results showed that elderly people living in rural areas had higher DPD scores and lower levels of self-efficacy compared with those living in urban areas (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that DPD was positively associated with the received frequencies of community health service, contracted family doctor services, and regular lectures on health knowledge among the elderly people with odd ratios of 1.58 (P < 0.001), 2.03 (P = 0.013), and 2.67 (P = 0.005), respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed significant interaction between social support and self-efficacy effect on DPD was found in the additive model (P < 0.001). Conclusion DPD was associated mainly with the community resources among elderly people living in rural areas. Social support and self-efficacy were commonly associated with DPD through a synergistic effect. These results suggest that DPD among elderly people may be reduced through effective social support to directly and indirectly promote the elderly’s use of community resources and improve their self-efficacy.

Background The community environment plays a vital role in the health of older adults. During the COVID-19 epidemic, older adults, who were considered the most impacted and most vulnerable social group, were confined to their homes during the implementation of management and control measures for the epidemic. In such situations, older adults may have to contend with a lack of resources and experience anxiety. Therefore, identifying the environmental factors that are beneficial for their physical and mental health is critical. Objective This study aimed to assess the association between community cohesion and the physical and mental health of older adults and to identify the related community services and environmental factors that may promote community cohesion. Methods This community-based cross-sectional study was designed during the COVID-19 epidemic. A multistage sampling method was applied to this study. A total of 2036 participants aged ≥60 years were sampled from 27 locations in China. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. The neighborhood cohesion instrument consisting of scales on 3 dimensions was used to assess community cohesion. Self-efficacy and life satisfaction, cognitive function and depression, and community services and environmental factors were also measured using standard instruments. Statistical analyses were restricted to 99.07% (2017/2036) of the participants. Separate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association among community cohesion and physical and mental health factors, related community services, and environmental factors among older adults. Results The results showed that high levels of community cohesion were associated with good self-perceived health status and life satisfaction (odds ratio [OR] 1.27, 95% CI 1.01-1.59 and OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.15-1.27, respectively) and high levels of self-efficacy and psychological resilience (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.05-1.13 and OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.06, respectively). The length of stay in the community and the level of physical activity were positively associated with community cohesion scores, whereas the education level was negatively associated with community cohesion scores (P=.009). Community cohesion was also associated with low levels of depression and high levels of cognitive function. Community cohesion was significantly associated with community services and environmental factors on 4 dimensions. High levels of community cohesion were associated with transportation services and rehabilitation equipment rental services as well as high levels of satisfaction with community physicians’ technical expertise and community waste disposal (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.87-5.28; OR 3.62, 95% CI 2.38-5.52; OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08-1.73; and OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.50, respectively). Conclusions Community cohesion was found to be associated with the physical and mental health of older adults. Our research suggests that enhancing community services and environmental resources may be an effective strategy to increase community cohesion during major infectious disease epidemics.

Background Community practice training is an important part of education in medicine, public health, social medicine, and other disciplines. The objective of this study is to explore the effect and importance of the community practice of Master of Public Health graduates on community residents’ health during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 epidemic. Methods This study used a prospective study design. A total of 152 participants with age ≥ 60 years were selected using a multistage sampling method from Hangzhou in China. Baseline and endline data were collected using structured questionnaires by face-to-face interviews. All psychological and behavioral measurements were performed using standardized instruments and showed good reliability and validity. A total of 147 participants were included in the analysis. The chi-square and rank sum tests were used to compare the difference between baseline and endline for categorical variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between community practice training and changes in psychology and behavior. Results The result of chi-square test showed that the eating habits of participants were different at endline and baseline (p = 0.001). Participants reported that the self-perceived health status from “very good” to “not good” was different between endline and baseline by the rank sum test (p = 0.036). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that community practice training was significantly associated with increased self-efficacy scores and cognitive function, with odd ratios (ORs) of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.04–1.13, p < 0.001) and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83–0.98, p < 0.013), respectively. The change in eating habits was also statistically significant at endline (p = 0.009). Conclusions Community practice training was associated with changes in health behavior and psychology of community residents. Our results suggested enhanced community practice training for students under the Master of Public Health program.

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Background Community practice training is an important part of education in medicine, public health, social medicine, and other disciplines. The objective of this study is to explore the effect and importance of the community practice of Master of Public Health graduates on community residents’ health during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. Methods This study used a pretest-posttest design. A total of 152 participants with age ≥ 60 years were selected using a multistage sampling method from Hangzhou in China. Baseline and endline data were collected using structured questionnaires by face-to-face interviews. All psychological and behavioral measurements were performed using standardized instruments and showed good reliability and validity. A total of 147 participants were included in the analysis. The chi-square and rank sum tests were used to compare the difference between baseline and endline for categorical variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between community practice training and changes in psychology and behavior. Results The result of chi-square test revealed a statistically significant difference in participants’ eating habits from baseline to endline. Participants reported that the self-perceived health status was different between endline and baseline by the rank sum test. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that community practice training was significantly associated with increased self-efficacy scores, cognitive function and eating habits, with odd ratios of 1.08, 0.90 and 1.93, respectively. Conclusions Community practice training was associated with changes in health behavior and psychology of community residents. Our results suggested enhanced community practice training for students under the Master of Public Health program.