The effectiveness of participation in the active aging program of a university hospital

Abstract

Active aging is based on four pillars: health, safety, participation, and lifelong learning. These pillars help individuals improve their quality of life throughout the aging process. Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of the Active Aging Program; identify the sociodemographic profile of the participants; identify prevalent diseases in the initial evaluation; and assess the results of the program after one year of follow-up. Methods: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional, exploratory, desk research, and descriptive study. Data from 545 employees of University of São Paulo participating in the Active Aging Program of the University Teaching Hospital of the University of São Paulo (HU-USP) between 2015 and 2018 were analyzed using the Minitab Program. For data analysis, Pearson's chi-square test was used to determine the association between Groups A and B. For continuous measures, the paired t-test was used to verify differences in means, adopting a 95% confidence interval and significance level of 0.05. Results: Statistically significant correlations were found when crossing sex with smoking; sex with triglycerides; age with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, being the age group 40–59 statistically more significant; physical activity with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases; and body mass index at program entry with the one-year result. Conclusion: The study expanded knowledge about risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and provided important information for the continuity of the program.