A study of morbidity profile of geriatric population in an urban community of Kishanganj, Bihar, India

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The growing healthy aging population is a source of both joy and worries. Joy because people are living longer and healthier lives. Worries are about how to respond to a future with a larger older population with their rightful demands and needs. The present study was undertaken with the objectives to find determine various socio- demographic factors in the geriatric population and to find out the prevalence of morbidity profiles in relation with sex, age and educational status among the study population.
\nMETHODS: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from June - August 2013 in Dilawarganj, an urban slum, Kishanganj, Bihar. A total of 160 people aged 60 years and above were selected and interviewed through house to house survey and complete clinical examinations were performed among the study subjects.
\nRESULTS: Amongthe160studysubjects,88(55.00%)weremalesand72
\n(45.00%) were females, 55% belong to age group 60 – 69, It was
\nobserved that the prevalence of anaemia, cataract and hypertension were quite high, 63.75%, 61.25% and 50.63% respectively. The percentage of alcohol consumption was as high as 47.50%. Loss of income & occupation along with a feeling of neglect from the family members were the common problems. Morbidities like arthritis, loss of teeth & dental caries along with depression were found to be significant with sex, age & educational status of the study subjects.
\nCONCLUSION: The study among elderly in Kishanganj, Bihar has highlighted a high prevalence of morbidity and identified socio-demographic profile and common existing problems.