Functional ability of elderly people in Basrah/Iraq

ABSTRACT

This is a cross-sectional household survey, carried out in two areas in Basrah Governorate [namely Hay-Al- Kahlig "Al" and Shatt- Al Arab "A2"], to study the functional ability [Personal Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living] of elderly people and to study the factors affecting it [age, sex, health problem and it's duration, previous occupation, perceived health and Moral index. The study involved elderly people [60 years and above], 240 elderly individuals from "Al" and 211 elderly individuals from "A2". Special questionnaire was used and filled by one of the authors. The study showed that only one-third of the studied elderly were completely independent, the other two-thirds admitted having different degrees of dependency, with a significantly higher rates among females. Functional ability was significantly and inversely related to age. Functional disability, was higher among those who were skilled workers and housewives. CVA was the most disabling illness, followed by heart failure and hypertension. The duration of the health problem was significantly and inversely related to functional ability. The presence of functional disability showed a significant association with poor health perception and bad Moral index. The elderly had more difficulties in performing instrumental activities of daily living [I-ADL] than personal activities of daily living [P-ADL]. The study recommended modification of risk factors and may have association with functional ability