Study on the Exposure Factor of Behavior and Activity Pattern in the Elderly in Different Areas

Objectives To explore the exposure factor of behavior and activity pattern in the elderly in different areas and provide basic data for environment health risk assessment on the elderly.

Methods Electronic questionnaire was used to interview with residents aged (60~89) in Harbin, Shijiazhuang, Wuxi, Wuhan, Chengdu and Zhuhai districts in a one-on-one inquiry way in September 2017 to January 2018. The behavior and activity pattern and travel mode were included in the electronic questionnaire.

Results During rest days and weekends, Wuhan residents spent the longest time in the indoor of home (22.0 h/d). Chengdu residents spent the longest time in the outdoor of home, the indoor and outdoor of other places (in the outdoor of home 3.0, indoor of other places 1.0, outdoor of other places 2.0 h/d). Chengdu residents had the longest travel time (2.0 h/d). The preferred travel mode was walking for the elderly in these 6 research areas. There was little effect of gender and educational level on the behavior activity pattern and travel mode of the elderly.

Conclusions The behavior and activity pattern and travel mode of the elderly were different in various cities in this study. More refined investigation on exposure factors would facilitate more accurate assessment of environmental health risks.