scholarly journals Understanding frailty among older people living in old age homes and the community in Nepal: A cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0251016
Author(s):  
Richa Shah ◽  
Rogie Royce Carandang ◽  
Akira Shibanuma ◽  
Ken Ing Cherng Ong ◽  
Junko Kiriya ◽  
...  

Introduction Frailty is a state of being vulnerable to adverse health outcomes such as falls, delirium, and disability in older people. Identifying frailty is important in a low-income setting to prevent it from progressing, reducing healthcare costs, increasing the chances of reversibility, and implementing effective interventions. The factors affecting frailty in older people living in old age homes could differ from those living in the community. This study was conducted to identify the factors associated with frailty in older people residing in old age homes and communities in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted from April to June 2019 in three districts of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Data were collected from 193 older people residing in old age homes and 501 residing in communities aged 60 and above using convenience sampling. Frailty was measured using the Groningen Frailty Indicator. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association between independent variables and frailty. Results Frailty was more prevalent among older people in old age homes (71.5%) compared to those in the community (56.3%). Older people who were satisfied with their living environment had lower frailty scores in both old age homes (β = -0.20, p<0.01) and the community (β = -0.15, p<0.001). Those who had self-rated unhealthy lifestyle had higher frailty scores in both old age homes (β = 0.45, p<0.001) and the community (β = 0.25, p<0.001). In the community, those over 80 years of age had higher frailty scores (β = 0.15, p<0.01) and those with higher education had lower scores (β = -0.13, p<0.05). Conclusion The living environment and lifestyle are key modifiable risk factors of frailty, both in old age homes and the community. The findings suggest a need for lifestyle modification and reforms in building standards, especially in old age homes, to promote age-friendly communities.

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 130-136
Author(s):  
S. Rimal ◽  
A. Adhikari ◽  
K. Khadka ◽  
B. Thapa ◽  
R. Acharya

 A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of dirofilariosis in street dogs of Kathmandu valley and Siddharthanagar, Rupandehi from January 2019 to March 2019. .Blood sample from 155 dogs of Kathmandu Valley and 150 from Siddharthanagar municipality were collected and examined by Wet Smear, Modified Knott Technique and Buffy Coat methods. PCV value and biochemical parameters were analyzed. Data were analyzed to determine the Prevalence of Dirofilaria and correlation of infections with age, sex and biochemical parameters. The prevalence in Kathmandu valley was 0% (0/156) while the prevalence in Siddharthanagar was 19.33%., while the prevalence in direct smear, buffy coat and modified Knott technique were found to be 16%, 16% and 19.33% respectively. The prevalence were significantly (p<0.05) higher in old age and higher in 3-5 years of age i.e. 51.70%..Prevalence was higher in female (21.70%) than male (17.3%).AST and ALT were significantly (p<0.05) increased in infected dogs. Total protein, ALP, BUN, Creatinine level were elevated in the infected dogs.  


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0250639
Author(s):  
Mira Adhikari Baral ◽  
Bhagwati Khatri Chhetri ◽  
Pramila Bhandari

Introduction The number of older individuals relocating from their homes to old age homes is increasing in Nepal. This study was conducted to assess the reasons why older people chose to move to old age homes, the status and forms of abuse they experienced, and the risk factors associated with their abuse before moving to old age homes. Materials and methods This study was a cross sectional study conducted among older adults currently residing in all the old age homes of Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan City. Complete enumeration of the respondents was done and data was collected consecutively, using a semi-structured interview schedule, from all older adults aged 60 years and above who had been living in the homes for at least a month. The total sample size was 109. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression was used as an inferential statistics to determine the predictors of abuse. Results A majority of the respondents (56.0%) came to old age homes on their own volition, 24.7% reported that they came to the homes because they were physically weak and they had no one to care for them at their residence, while 11% reported that they were forcefully sent by their caregivers. Out of total respondents, 60.6% reported that they experienced some form of abuse before they came to the old age home: most frequent was caregiver neglect (34.9%) and verbal abuse (34.9%), while few experienced financial abuse (2.8%). Women were at a higher risk of abuse than men (p<0.05, OR = 4.430, CI = 1.695–11.577) prior to their transfer to old age homes. Conclusions A majority of the older adults who transferred to old age homes in Pokhara Lekhnath Metropolitan city had been earlier abused by their caregivers, mainly through neglect and verbal abuse, and women were at a higher risk for abuse than men.


Author(s):  
Persis S. Bathala ◽  
Cynthia S. Sayolu

Background: Aging is a normal process, which is associated with physical, social and psychological changes. Depression among elderly is an important public health problem responsible for considerable morbidity and disability. Hence this study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of depression among inmates of old age homes. The main was to know the prevalence and level of depression and to assess socio demographic factors associated with depression among inmates of old age homes.Methods: A cross sectional study was done from August 2019 to October 2019 in old age homes of Kurnool city with a sample size of 60 by simple random sampling. Depression was assessed using geriatric depression scale. Data entered in MS Excel version 7 and analysed by SPSS version 21. Chi-square test was applied to test the significance and p value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: The overall prevalence of depression was found to be 66.7% among inmates and is positively associated with female sex, increasing age, illiteracy, low socio economic status economical dependency and dependency for daily activities.Conclusions: As the prevalence of depression is more among inmates there is a need to provide emotional support and facilities to engage them in various social activities of the community especially the elder females to prevent them from being depressed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-102
Author(s):  
Marina Vaidya Shrestha ◽  
Sunil Kumar Joshi

Ageing is a natural process. The elderly population is increasing in Nepal.When there is presence of diseases, physical inability, and financial harshness, the elderly in Nepal have to face many problems. This study was thus conducted to assess the socio-economic milieu and spectrum of gynaecological problems among women living in old age homes of Kathmandu valley. For this a cross sectional study was conducted in 21old age homes of three districts of Kathmandu valley. In this study, they were 234 particants. Privacy and confidentiality of information about the individual were strictly maintained. One-third of the aged women living in the old age homes belonged to 70-80 years.50.9% were from outside Kathmandu valley, while 49.1% were from the valley. The elderly were mostly not visited by their relatives and friends. Most of them (74.4%) were interested in praying than other activities. Out of the total Urine samples (190), 68.4% were normal, and 9.4% had a urinary tract infection. There were only 15.6% uterine prolapse cases. Out of total, 70.9% of Pap smear report was normal, while 25.1% had inflammatory smear. This study revealed that the old age homes have become a shelter for most of elderly women. The socio-economic condition was poor. Gynaecological probems like UTI, Urinary incontinence were not high but the prolapse cases (uterine proplase, cystocele, rectocele) were remarkably high. Cervical cancer screening through Pap smear showed negative results.


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