KMID : 0856920210240020074
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Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care 2021 Volume.24 No. 2 p.74 ~ p.84
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Knowledge and Attitudes toward Advance Directives among Middle-Aged Women
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Choi Ji-Won
Rhee Yong-Joo
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Abstract
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Purpose: This study investigated knowledge of and attitudes toward advance directives (ADs) among middle-aged women in South Korea, their willingness to write ADs in the future, and the factors related to knowledge of and attitudes toward ADs.
Methods: Data were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire completed by 154 middle-aged women aged 50 to 64 from February to March 2020. The questionnaire asked about participants¡¯ knowledge of and attitude toward ADs, willingness to write ADs in the future, experiences with life-sustaining treatment within their families, experience making decisions about life-sustaining treatment, and demographic characteristics.
Results: Scores for both knowledge of and attitude toward ADs were relatively high. About 60% of participants gave wrong answers when asked if attorneys were required for writing ADs. A higher knowledge score was significantly associated with a higher attitude score (r=0.227, P<0.01). The women were more likely to be willing to write ADs in the future when they reported a middle income level rather than a lower income level (odds ratio [OR]=5.952, P<0.01), considered themselves unhealthy (OR=5.873, P<0.01), and graduated college or higher (OR=4.096, P<0.05). Furthermore, women who thought that ADs would have an impact on treatment (OR=1.869, P<0.05) and on their families (OR=1.447, P<0.05) were more likely to be willing to write an AD.
Conclusion: This study shows that wrong information about ADs persists among middle-aged women, and significant factors associated with knowledge of and attitude toward ADs were identified. Targeted education programs about ADs need to be developed for middle-aged women.
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KEYWORD
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Middle aged women, Advance directives, Knowledge, Attitude
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