ABSTRACT
Introduction: Anemia in elderly patients of any degree contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality and has a significant effect on the quality of life. Despite of high prevalence, very few studies have examined the effect of anemia in elderly patients in India. Hence, this study is undertaken to know the prevalence and clinicopathological pattern of anemia in elderly patients. Objectives: 1. To estimate the prevalence of anemia in the elderly aged 65 years and above. 2. To determine the severity, clinicohematological patterns, and causes of anemia in the elderly aged 65 years and above. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was done. The study was conducted for 1 year; during this period, elderly patients aged 65 years and above admitted for other medical conditions were recruited in the study using consecutive sampling technique until the desired sample size of 236 was achieved and they were evaluated for anemia. Among them with hemoglobin cutoff value <13 g% for men, <12 g% for women were further evaluated to known the cause of anemia and its clinicohematological pattern. Ethical committee approval was obtained. Data were analyzed using SPSS Software version 23.0. Results: The mean age of the participants was 73.9 ± 7.4 (standard deviation [SD]) years. Majority, 53.8%, of the participants were males. Among the 236 elderly patients, recruited in the study 65.3% were anemic and among them 44.2 had mild anemia and 37% had moderate anemia. Mean hemoglobin value of the participants was 10.7 ± 2.83 SD and it ranged from 3 to 16.3 g/dl. There was no significant difference in the hematological parameters between male and female elderly patients in the study. The main cause of anemia was found to be due to chronic diseases followed by iron‑deficiency anemia. Conclusion: This study concludes that anemia was highly prevalent among elderly patients and most of them had identifiable and treatable etiology. Hence, all elderly patients with anemia should be evaluated properly for underlying etiology and treated accordingly to reduce the mortality and morbidity in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities.
ABSTRACT
Background: Caregiving for elderly individuals is an emerging health issue that affects the quality of life of caregivers. The objective of this study was to explore the difficulties faced by caregivers in providing care to the elderly population. Methodology: This study was conducted using an explanatory mixed?method study design, in which a quantitative component (cross?sectional study) was followed by a qualitative component (in-depth interview). A total of 101 caregivers of the elderly population (with moderate disability level and above) were screened for personal stress using a perceived stress scale. Following quantitative data collection, an in?depth interview was conducted among caregivers selected by purposive sampling using an interview guide to explore the issues faced by caregivers. Results: A total of 384 individuals aged 60 years and above were screened for the level of disability. A total of 101 caregivers who were providing supportive care to elderly people with moderate and severe levels of disability were screened for stress using a perceived stress scale. Around 54% of the caregivers reported high perceived stress and 28% of the caregivers reported moderate stress. In?depth interviews using purposive sampling identified the following themes for caregivers of elderly individuals: frustration about providing continuous care, dealing with personal health problems, feeling anger, and isolation and financial stress. Conclusions: The need for caregiving for the older population is increasing. A significant amount of stress has been reported among caregivers. Frustration about providing continuous care, dealing with personal health problems, and feeling isolation and financial stress were the common challenges reported by the caregivers.
ABSTRACT
Background: In the year 2018, Kerala experienced natural disastrous due to heavy rainfall and floods due to breakdown of dams. More than five lakhs people were affected and disruption in transportation, communication and damaged health care facilities. Objective of this study was to access the morbidity pattern of flood victims in the post flood recovery phase.Methods: The study was carried out by the investigators along with medical team conducted free camps in seven different locations in the districts of Wayand and Kozhikode in the month of October 2018. Data were obtained in the format designed by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, India.Results: A total of 3123 patients were attended the flood relief camp. The most of the camp people were come up with complaints of myalgia 24.8%, acute respiratory infections 14.6%, skin infections 8.3% and 7.7% had fever.Conclusions: To create awareness to the community about the natural disaster and appropriate action to prevent it through information, education and communication by regular period of intervals. And to provide basic amendments to improve the health care infra structure