Health Problem Pattern Among Geriatrics In Aligarh- A Cross Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives: Old age is associated with decline in physical, physiological & cognitive function affecting the quality of life of the elderly population. The robust increase in proportion of elderly has resulted in demographic burden in a developing country like India. To cope up with this burden appropriate & timely intervention is required based on the situational analysis of the health problems faced by the aged population. Objective is to determine the pattern of health problems among geriatric population and to find out the rural- urban difference in health problems, if any. Methodology: The cross- sectional study was done among 450 individuals aged 60 years & above residing at field practice area of Urban Health Training Centre & Rural Health Training Centre, JN Medical College, AMU, Aligarh. The data was obtained through pretested & predesigned questionnaire by selecting individuals using systematic random sampling with PPS. Data was entered & analyzed by SPSS 20. Tests of proportion & Chi square test were applied. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The present study revealed that the most prevalent problem was cataract (79.6%), followed by depression (36.2%), refractive error (31.3%), locomotor problems (23.6%) and hearing loss (16%). No significant rural- urban difference was found among the prevalence of health problems. Conclusion: The study concluded that the magnitude of health problems faced by elderly ranges from low (hearing loss) to high (cataract) that warrants strengthening of the available health care services to tackle the burden of health problems.