the role of religiosity in elderly health promotion - doi:10.5020/18061230.2008.p201

Objective: To verify the importance of religiosity among elderly and to delineate the profile of the studied sample, highlighting the relation between religion tendencies and the wellbeing of the aged, also with his/her social and psychological integration, discussing the role of religiosity on the elderly health promotion. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitativequalitative study held in Fortaleza, Baturité, Juazeiro do Norte and Quixadá. An interview was accomplished with 419 aged in their sixties or above, in health services, in the years 2005 and 2006, by means of a questionnaire with objective questions approaching the sex, age, leisure activities and religiosity of the elderly. Results: The data indicated that over 90% of the interviewees pray and over 70% pray daily in all visited cities. It was observed that elderly women are fonder of religious aspects than elderly men. Conclusions: It was considered, therefore, that religiosity plays a significant role in human existence, providing a safe refuge to cope with daily challenges of the aging process.