ABSTRACT
Background: Geriatric health is gaining in urgency and importance as the world is moving into the later stages of the demographic cycle. Nutritional status of the elderly is a major determinant of their overall health.Methods: The present study is a healthcare facility-based, cross-sectional study among geriatric patients attending the chronic disease clinic focusing on the morbidity profile and anthropometry. Sample size was 89. The measurements done were calf circumference (CC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and BMI.Results: More than half the study subjects had three or more chronic morbidities. The prevalence of undernourishment based on calf circumference and MUAC were 11.2% and 12.4% respectively. The correlation between BMI, CC and MUAC were all found to be strong and statistically significant.Conclusions: Both CC and MUAC can be adapted for use in primary care settings to rapidly assess nutritional status of the elderly and plan management protocols.
ABSTRACT
Background: Data on attitudes towards and utilization of health insurance in Mumbai is lacking. The aim of the study was to assess the level of awareness about health insurance, the factors influencing the decision to subscribe and the patterns of utilization of health insurance.Methods: 201 principal earning members of households belonging to the 25-45 years age group were interviewed in a community-based household survey in a conveniently selected ward in Mumbai with the help of a pretested, semi-structured interview schedule.Results: The level of awareness about health insurance was 65.3%. 33.8% of the respondents had utilized or subscribed to some form of health insurance. 27.9% had used Government health insurance while 13.4% had used private health insurance. 7.5% had access to both Government and private health insurance.Conclusions: A concerted effort is necessary to sensitize the public about health insurance with strategic use of sentiment regarding community risk pooling.