Morbidity Pattern Among the Elderly Population in a Rural Area of Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka - A Cross Sectional Study -

Abstract

Introduction: As the ageing population is increasing, the burden of their health problems is on a rise. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among elderly popu-lation aged 60 years and above residing in the rural field prac-tice area of A.J. Institute of Medi-cal Sciences & Research Centre in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India. Results: The mean age of the participants was 66.9±6.3years. Out of 375 elderly participants, females were 57.9%. In the study population only 3.7% elderly were not suffering from any form of morbidity. Majority (25.3%) of them were suffering from 3 mor-bidities and 12.5% had 5 and more morbidities. Major morbid-ities of the study population were impaired vision followed by hypertension and joint prob-lems. The proportion of arthritis, anaemia and obesity were signif-icantly higher among females than among male participants. Conclusion: The study among the elderly in Dakshina Kanna-da District, has highlighted a prevalence of visual complaints, hypertension and joint problems in the population. As the study shows that there is a higher prevalence of multimorbidity among the rural population, ger-iatric health care should be given due emphasis in health care ser-vices.