Morbidity profile of elderly individuals in urban Visakhapatnam

Authors

  • Sanjay Polisetty Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
  • Madhavi Seepana Department of Community Medicine, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20172859

Keywords:

Elderly, Geriatric morbidity, Hypertension

Abstract

Background: India has acquired the label of “an ageing nation” with 7.7% of its population being more than 60 years old. Both perceived health and chronic illness are major elements of health status in elderly and there is growing evidence that older people are at risk for manifold co-morbidities.

Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in the Allipuram urban-Field practice area, Visakhapatnam for a period of 2 months (May 1st to June 30th) using a pretested questionnaire in the native language. Study subjects were individuals above 60 years of age who are willing to participate. Data collected for this study was predominantly based on the symptoms experienced by the individuals and patient records.

Results: Almost the entire study population (99.6%) suffered from either some form of acute or chronic morbidity. More than 70% of individuals had eye problems, most common problem being cataract (60%). Hypertension was present in 49% of individuals (24.3% Males and 24.7% Females). About 74.2% of Diabetics were also hypertensives and the relation was found to be highly significant (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Old age is associated with increasing morbidity due to senile changes, lowered immunity and increased susceptibility to most diseases hence it is of paramount importance that efficient and appropriate means of health care delivery to the geriatric population is ensured. 

Author Biography

Madhavi Seepana, Department of Community Medicine, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine

References

Gopal K Ingle, Anitha Nath. Geriatric Health in India: Concerns and Solutions. Indian J Community Med. 2008;33(4):214–8.

World Population Prospects. 1994 Revision, ST/ESA/SERA/145. United Nations, New York: 1995.

Age care statistics. Available at: http://www.helpageindia.com. Accessed on 7 January 2017.

Kumar V. Aging in India. Indian J Med Res 1997;106:257-64.

HM Swami, Vikas Bhatia, Rekha Dutt. A Community Based Study of the Morbidity Profile among the Elderly in Chandigarh, India. Bahrain Medical Bulletin. 2002;24(1):1-8.

Gijsen R, Hoeymans N, Schellevis FG, Ruwaard D, Satariano WA, van den Bos GA. Causes and consequences of comorbidity: A review. J Clin Epidemiol. 2001;54:661–74.

Joshi K, Kumar R, Avasthi A. Morbidity profile and its relationship with disability and psychological distress among elderly people in Northern India. Int J Epidemiol. 2003;32:978–87.

Niranjan GV, Vasundhra MK. A study of health status of aged persons in slums of urban field practice area, Bangalore. Indian J Com Med 1996;21:1-4.

Padda AS, Mohan V, Singh J, Deepti SS, Singh G, Dhillon HS. Health profile of aged persons in urban and rural field practice area of medical college Amritsar. Indian J Com Med. 1998;23:72-6.

Prakash R, Choudhary SK, Singh US. A study of morbidity pattern among geriatric population in an urban area of Udaipur Rajasthan. Indian J Community Med. 2004;29(1):35-40.

Kishore S, Juyal R, Semwal J, Chandra R. Morbidity Profile of Elderly Persons. JK Science; Department of Community Medicine, HIMS, Swami Rama Nagar, Dehradun (Uttaranchal). 2007;9(2):87-9.

Chadha SL, Radhakrishna S. Epidemiological Study of Coronary Heart Disease in Urban Population of Delhi. Ind J Med Res. 1990;92:424-30.

Garg BS, Gupta SC, Mishra VN, Singh RB. A Medico Social Study of Aged in Urban Area. Indian Med Gazette. 1982;14(3):95-9.

National Policy on older persons. 1996: 4-6.

Agrawal AP. studies on morbidity pattern in rural area of Delhi; 1992.

Purohit CK, Sharma R. A study of general health status of persons aged 60 years and above in RHTC area, Naila. Ind J Med Res. 1976;38(6):117-22.

Mishra VN, Srivastava BC. Prevalence of senile cataract in rural population. Ind J P&SM. 1980.

Downloads

Published

2017-06-23

How to Cite

Polisetty, S., & Seepana, M. (2017). Morbidity profile of elderly individuals in urban Visakhapatnam. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(7), 2558–2563. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20172859

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles