Morbidities amongst inmates of home-for-aged in Nagpur city: a cross sectional study

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International Journal of Development Research

Morbidities amongst inmates of home-for-aged in Nagpur city: a cross sectional study

Abstract: 

Background: Ageing is universal, inevitable, irreversible slow process that results in detrimental changes in physiological function of most tissues and organ system. The number of aged is increasing rapidly. It carries important social and economic implications. The problems faced by aged persons are multiple, multi dimensional, not merely medical but socio-economical, emotional, psychological, rehabilitative and related to social security. The common morbidities due to ageing are cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, cataract, hearing impairment, etc. This study was undertaken to study some epidemiological factors for morbidities amongst inmates of home for aged. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of morbidities among the inmates of home for aged and study some epidemiological factors related with them in two homes for aged in Nagpur city, central India. Methods: A cross sectional study undertaken in two homes for aged namely Panchvati Vridhashram, Umrer road and Home for aged, Untakhana, Nagpur. Total 176 participants were interviewed and examined who consented for study. Result: Mean age of study subjects was 73.47±6.06 year ranging from 61 to 90 years. Around one-fifth of study subjects (19.32%) were illiterate. Significantly more illiterate study subjects were of female gender (chi- square = 5.78, d.f. = 1, P = 0.016). Mean duration of stay in home for aged was 5.29±3.29 years with the range of 9 months to 17 years. Every inmate had one or other morbidity. Mean number of morbidities was 3.86±1.38 per person. There is positive correlation between age and average number of morbidities per person with strong linear trend (r = 0.5973, P = 0.0001). Prevalence of asthma was significantly higher among males as compared to females (Chi square = 4.15, d.f. = 1, P = 0.041). Prevalence of deafness was significantly higher among males as compared to females (Chi square = 5.18, d.f. = 1, P = 0.02). Prevalence of edentulous females was significantly higher than edentulous males (Chi square = 4.99, d.f. = 1, P = 0.025). Seven (41.18%) cases of diabetes mellitus (n = 17) and 9(8.74%) cases of hypertension (n =103) were newly diagnosed during the study. Conclusion: Every inmate of home for aged had one or other morbidity. Average number of morbidities increases with age. Average number of morbidities among illiterate is more than literate subjects. Prevalence of asthma and deafness was significantly higher among male. Prevalence of edentulous was significantly more among females.

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