A Study Of Morbidity Profile Of Elderly In Urban Areas Of North India

Abstract

Geriatrics population is an important part of the total community & comprises of about 7-8% of the whole population of one community. Since the expectation of life is also increasing steadily and quality of life being emphasized more & more in our country, the senior citizen group is getting importance day by day. WHO is also concerned about the health of this group and is promoting the concept of healthy aging throughout the World. The study was conducted in 606 persons above the age of 60 years both male (322) and female (284). Joint paints & cataract occupy the top position among different morbid condition i.e. 46% and 45% respectively. Hypertension, GIT problems, Diabetes and Loneliness & depression are among the other major morbidities contributing 22%, 14.8%, 11% and 9% respectively. DEPARTMENT AND INSTITUTION WHERE THE WORK WAS DONE Urban field practice attached to Dept. of Community Medicine, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, India.. INTRODUCTION Geriatrics population is an important part of the total community & comprises of about 7-8% of the whole population of one community. Since the expectation of life is also increasing steadily and quality of life being emphasized more & more in our country, the senior citizen group is getting importance day by day. It is therefore very essential and desirable that the health of this group is protected and maintained to get the maximum benefits for the over all growth & development of this nation. Earlier the diseases are diagnosed and earlier they are treated, the more will be the benefits in obtaining the optimal level of positive health. The good health enjoyed by these elderly will go a long way in strengthening one health care and economy. Needless to point out that even the WHO is also concerned about the health of this group and is promoting the concept of healthy aging throughout the World. OBJECTIVES To know the common health problems in the elderly population of Rohtak town. STUDY DESIGN Cross sectional MATERIAL & METHODS The information was collected (as such) with the help of postgraduate students, interns, MPHW (M & F) & concerned Anganwari Workers through a pre designed & pre-tested proforma in the urban setting. For hypertension, sphygmomanometer was used taking 140/90 mm of Hg as cut out limits and for diabetes simple urine testing was done using Benedict's qualitative reagent and graded accordingly. Cataract was diagnosed with the help of a torch & differentiated into Mature Senile Cataract & Immature Senile Cataract. Hearing loss was assessed by taking history of the subjects. In cases of loneliness and depression the history of spouse was also taken. PARTICIPANTS & SETTINGS 606 persons above the age of 60 years both male (322) and female (284) were included in the study who were selected randomly from a population of about 23000 with the help of Anganwari Survey Register. There were 1854 elderly subjects in about 4600 families coming 23096 urban slum populations. The elderly population was enlisted in the study covering 606 elderly subjects both males & females.