A community based cross-sectional study on morbidity profile of elderly in a rural area of Puducherry

Authors

  • Arulprasad Radjasegarane Department of Community Medicine, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India
  • Kavita Vasudevan Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
  • Prakash Mathiyalagen Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
  • Arul Varman P. Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
  • Lopamudra M. Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India
  • Lalithambigai Chellamuthu Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211259

Keywords:

Chronic and acute illness, Elderly, Morbidity profile

Abstract

Background: The proportion of elderly increases worldwide. India entered into the list of “greying nation”. The process of biological ageing brings with it various illnesses. This study was conducted with the objective of determining the morbidity profile of elderly people residing in a rural area.

Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly aged 60 years and above residing in rural area of Puducherry. Simple random sampling was used to select two sub-centre areas among four, under the field practice area and all the eligible elderly individuals were included. House to house visit was made and after obtaining informed consent, the data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire and examination.

Results: A total of 954 individuals were included in the study of which 66.4% and 33.6% of them were females and males respectively (Mean: 68 ± 6.8 years). Acute and chronic illnesses were present among 4% and 47.7% of elderly individuals respectively. Hypertension (42.5%) was observed to be the predominant chronic illness followed by Diabetes (29.6%), Osteoarthritis (8.1%) and Asthma (7.9%), Visual problems (4.3%), Coronary artery disease (2.9%), Cerebrovascular accident (1.2%) and hearing problems (0.9%).

Conclusions: Chronic illnesses were more common among elderly than acute illnesses. Hence it is recommended to screen elderly individuals utilizing the platform of community based assessment for non-communicable diseases. The study also recommends implementing stringent tobacco control measures so as to curtail the silent epidemic of non-communicable diseases.

Author Biographies

Arulprasad Radjasegarane, Department of Community Medicine, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences (Affiliated to BIHER), Puducherry

Kavita Vasudevan, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India

Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry.

Prakash Mathiyalagen, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry.

Arul Varman P., Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry

Lopamudra M., Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry.

Lalithambigai Chellamuthu, Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India

Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry.

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Published

2021-03-25

How to Cite

Radjasegarane, A., Vasudevan, K., Mathiyalagen, P., P., A. V., M., L., & Chellamuthu, L. (2021). A community based cross-sectional study on morbidity profile of elderly in a rural area of Puducherry. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 8(4), 1945–1949. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211259

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Original Research Articles