scholarly journals Study of Elders’ Health Status and Perception about Old Age

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 66-75
Author(s):  
Keshab Prasad Timalsina

The health status of elders and elders’ perception regarding old age in a community is an important issue in a society. The present study aims to assess the health status and perception of old age of elderly population of Nijgadh Municipality. A descriptive cross-sectional study has been carried out among 204 elders taken from the community through simple random sampling method. The data were collected through face to face structured interview schedule in 2021. The descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the collected data showed that the about 20 percent elders had got good status of health but remaining (about 80%) of them were suffering from  some kinds of health complications. Similarly, more than 73 percent of elders felt their life more problematic. This study measured significant variation (p<0.05) of level of health status with only three socio-demographic variables (age, caste, and feeling of helplessness among the variables (gender, age groups, caste, living with or without spouse, literacy status, and feeling helplessness.  Furthermore, this study measured significant variation (p<0.05) of perception about old age of elderly population with only three socio-demographic variable (age, caste, and feeling of helpless) among the variables (gender, age groups, caste, living with or without spouse, literacy status, and feeling helplessness). Based on the study, it can be said that age, caste, and feeling of helplessness status of elderly population were the major factors for creating variations in health status and perceptions of elderly life. The policies, programs, and community effort are needed for managing regular health service practice. Similarly, all the community members must be serious for keeping elders happy by managing their requirement with love which may require collective action from social, health and justice sectors.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-49
Author(s):  
Keshab Prasad Timalsina

The elderly abuse in a family is one of the most challenging problems in a society. The present study aims to assess the prevalence of elderly abuse in the family environment of JureliTole of Bakaiya Rural Municipality. The study also presents various risk factors that influence the prevalence of Elderly abuse. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 103 elders taken from household survey by using census method. The data were collected through a face-to-face structured interview schedule. The descriptive and regression analysis of the collected data showed that the prevalence of elderly abuse was 46.6% in the study population. This study measured significant association (p<0.05) of overall abuse against the elder with only two socio-demographic variables (literacy status and health status) among the variables (gender, age groups, living with or without spouse, literacy status, health status, dependency status, and income level). The results showed that the elders with/without spouse had the highest odds ratio to be abused (2.19 times) followed by gender (1.64 times), and health status (1.25 times). Although this study found lower prevalence than many previous studies, it is still significant and needs to be prevented. Based on the study, it can be said that living without a spouse, with poor health, and being female are the major predictive descriptors for elderly abuse.The policies and programs are needed for the prevention of elderly abuse which may require collective action from social, health and justice sectors. 


Author(s):  
Shanthi Edward ◽  
Praveena Periasamy

Background: Advocates, being stressed out and depressed in the law profession due to unstable work pattern, work overload and lack in coping up skills. They thrive a lot to survive in the profession. In such circumstances, lawyers may lean on alcohol or tobacco. In view of above issues, one of the main objectives of the study is to evaluate the association between use of alcohol, tobacco, smoking and hypertension among practising advocates.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 300 practising advocates at Madurai district court for a period of 1 year by simple random sampling method. Data was collected using structured interview schedule and analysed using SPSS.Results: Around 263 (87.66%) study participants were non-smokers and 37 (12.33%) were tobacco smokers. Among the tobacco smokers, a majority of 24 (64.86%) were found to be hypertensives (p=0.002). In the current study among the alcohol consumers, a majority of 26 (55.32%) were hypertensives and among the non-consumers of alcohol, only 38.34% were hypertensives (p=0.044).Conclusions: Advocates being professionals are well educated, informative and aware of complications. Adoption of healthy life style practices, the prevalence of hypertension may be reduced among the advocate community. Life style modifications such as cessation of smoking, alcohol and tobacco should be adopted. Promotive activities like arrangement of health camps in the court, health education, counselling on self-care, stress bursting leisure time activities would reduce the dependency on tobacco and alcohol.


Author(s):  
Joymati Oinam ◽  
Shantibala Kongjenbam ◽  
Yumnam Ningthemba Singh

Background: The rapid increase of caesarean section (CS) rate throughout the world has become a serious public health issue since the level of CS is well above the WHO (1985) recommended 15% and it is increasing over time. Objectives of the study was to determine the prevalence of caesarean section and women’s attitudes towards CS, to investigate rural-urban differences and any associated factors between attitude with socio-demographic factors.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in urban and rural areas of three districts of Manipur from 2015 to 2017 among 600 eligible married women aged 18-35 years selected by simple random sampling. Household was taken as sampling unit and electoral roll (2013) as sampling frame. An interview schedule was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics like mean, SD, proportion and inferential statistics like χ2 test was used. p-value 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results: Mean age of the participants was 29.7±4.6 years. The overall prevalence of CS rate was 18.5% and the first child CS rate was 19.9% and majority of them belongs to 30-35 age groups. Majority of the women (84.2%) have neutral attitude and only 7.6% have favorable attitude towards CS. Favorable attitude towards CS was more among women who married at ≥30 years, whose husband was >30 years and was a government employee and who ever had CS.Conclusions: Although the prevalence of CS is well above the WHO (1985) recommendation. Majority still preferred vaginal delivery and the demand for CS is low in the present setting. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-345
Author(s):  
PR Geethapriya ◽  
D Kandaswamy

ABSTRACT Introduction Oral health plays a pivotal role in the overall wellbeing of children. As children grow, there is a variation in their oral health status due to the changing trends and lifestyle. Aim To evaluate and compare the factors related to oral health status in two age groups of school going children. Materials and methods A total of 582 children aged 8 to 11 years from 3 schools were included. Based on their school grade, they were grouped as younger (third grade) and older (fifth grade) children. Their dental caries status, caries treatment needs, oral hygiene status were assessed. A questionnaire was given to them to assess their knowledge on oral health. Results Both third and fifth grade children had similar caries status. The caries treatment needs was significantly higher (p = 0.02) in fifth grade children of school III. The oral hygiene status was significantly better (p = 0.004) in fifth grade children of school I and third grade children (p < 0.001) of school III. Fifth grade children were found to have more knowledge on oral health and it was statistically significant in school II (p = 0.001). In school III, as caries status increased, the oral hygiene index score significantly increased (p = 0.001). Conclusion Age did not have any influence on the oral health status of children. The older children had better knowledge on oral health, but the oral hygiene practices were not followed effectively How to cite this article Geethapriya PR, Asokan S, Kandaswamy D. Comparison of Oral Health Status and Knowledge on Oral Health in Two Age Groups of Schoolchildren: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(4):340-345.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hinako Nanri ◽  
Tsukasa Yoshida ◽  
Yuya Watanabe ◽  
Hiroyuki Fujita ◽  
Misaka Kimura ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: It is unclear whether habitual green tea consumption is related to comprehensive frailty. Objective: We conducted this study to investigate this relationship among a Japanese elderly population.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of baseline data from 2012. The study included 5668 Japanese participants (2766 men and 2902 women, aged 65 years or older). The subjects completed a validated self-administered food frequency questionnaire that included green tea consumption. We evaluated comprehensive frailty by using a 25-item Kihon Checklist (KCL), which comprised seven domains (instrumental activities of daily living [IADL], physical function, malnutrition, oral or eating function, socialization and housebound, cognitive function, and depression). Frailty was defined as a KCL score ≥7. Results: We found that higher consumption of green tea was associated with a lower risk of frailty in both sexes. Further age-stratified analysis showed that higher consumption of green tea among women was associated with a lower risk of frailty, regardless of age. In men, however, these associations were found only in the older age groups. An analysis of the association between green tea consumption and frailty subdomains showed that green tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of oral dysfunction and cognitive problem in both sexes. In addition, only in women, higher green tea consumption was inversely associated with a lower risk of IADL and mobility-related disability problems.Conclusions: Green tea consumption is inversely associated with the prevalence of comprehensive frailty in Japanese men and women. Longitudinal studies are required to confirm this association.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 12-15
Author(s):  
Jogmaya Limbu ◽  
Sunita Poudyal

Background: Falls in older people is a common serious health problem that has profound im­pact on overall health and quality of life of older people. The aim of this study was to assess the fall risk among older adults. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among older adults residing in Bharatpur, Chitwan. A total of 98 older adults were selected by using simple random sampling technique. The data were collected by using structured interview schedule and fall risk was as­sessed by Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Data were collected from 23rd June, 2019 to 7th July, 2019. Obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study findings revealed that more than half (60.2%) of the older adults were from the age group of ≤79 years, male (63.3%) and almost half (50%) were illiterate. Nearly all (96.9%) older adults were living with their family however, 50% were undernourished (BMI- <22.9). Ma­jorities (66.3%) were suffering from chronic diseases and had been taking medicine. Majority of older adults reported vision problem (64.3%) and hearing problem (60.2%). However, only 8.2% reported history of fall within last 6-12 months. More than half (59.2%) of the older adults had high risk of fall and found significant association with age (p=0.039) and vision problem (p=0.043). Conclusions: More than half of the older adults are in risk of falls. Therefore, more emphasis should be given in screening the older people for fall risk factors as preventive measures.


Author(s):  
Vaibhav Munjal ◽  
Puneet Singh Talwar ◽  
Jagjit Singh ◽  
Mandeep Kumar ◽  
Ramandeep Gambhir

Background: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease with diet being one of the contributing factors. The influence of vegetarianism on the development of caries has scarcely been investigated in the past. Therefore, this study was done to evaluate the association of dental caries with frequency of sugar exposures and vegetarian / mixed diet.Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 2500 school children of 12 and 15 years age groups selected on the basis of simple random sampling from different schools of the city. Dental caries was recorded using Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth index (WHO modification, 1997) and correlated with the different dietary variables. Subjects were also segregated on the basis of diet: vegetarian and mixed. Statistical analysis was done using Student t-test and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient.Results: The prevalence of dental caries in the 12 and 15 year age group of subjects consuming mixed diet was 83.36% and 86.47% respectively. It was lower in case of subjects on vegetarian diet. The correlation between DMFS and TSE, FSE and AMSE was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05) in the 12 year age-group. In the 15 year age-group the correlation of DMFS with TSE and LSE was also found to be statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusions: There was no statistically significant difference in dental caries status among subjects in both the groups (vegetarian and mixed). However, there was significant association between sugar exposures and dental caries among subjects of both the age-groups.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Moushami Ghimire ◽  
Madhusudhan Ghimire

Introduction: Biological, psychosocial, cognitive, emotional and social changes begin during puberty and continue throughout adolescence. The age at which a female reaches sexual maturity is critical in determining her future reproductive health and success. The aim of the study was to assess the average age of sexual feeling and menarche among the adolescent girls and its determinants. Methods: Three hundred fifty five respondents were selected through simple random sampling from three secondary schools (namely Sunrise Boarding School, Swaraswati Secondary School and Gyanjyoti Samudayak Bidhyalaya) in Palpa for the cross-sectional study. Structured interview schedule was used to collect information. Data was tabulated in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed with SPSS-16. Results: Most of the girls (44.8%) attained menarche at 12 years (M = 12.4, SD = 1.11). Age at menarche was more likely before 13 years of age when the age of onset of sexual feeling was earlier than 12 years of age, in students than in domestic workers and if they are living with parents than in those not living with parents. Conclusion: The average age of menarche among the adolescent girls was 12.40 years and it could be influenced by age of sexual feeling, occupation and living status of girls.


Author(s):  
Vishal Jamra ◽  
Ramniwas Mahore ◽  
Dinesh Mohan Saxena ◽  
Anil Kumar Agarwal

Background: Anganwadi workers (AWW) are India’s primary tool against the menace of child malnourishment, infant mortality, and lack of child education, community health. The Anganwadi workers should have basic knowledge of treatment of minor ailment in under five children. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 48 AWWs of selected ICDS centers of District Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh by simple random sampling method. Results: Brief structured interview and structured questionnaire techniques were used to collect responses from the AWWs. All the AWWs (48) were trained and had been rendering adequate services but they were not much reflective of the same when being questioned on the knowledge parameter. The study revealed that out of 48 AWW, more than 80% were in the age group of 25-45 years. After IMCI based training given to AWWs, their knowledge and skills for treating minor ailments under five children was significantly improved from pre-test assessment (Total score 1087 with Mean (SD) score 2.83 (1.32) to post-test assessment1392 with Mean (SD) score 3.62 (1.38). Knowledge of AWWs regarding under five children in all 8 domains of illness was changed significantly 14.1% from 50.3% in baseline survey to 64.4% in end line survey. Conclusions: As the Anganwadi worker is the key person in the programme, her education level and knowledge of minor ailments for under five children plays an important role related to her performance in the Anganwadi centre. 


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoda Wahba ◽  
Tamer Emara ◽  
Ahmed Elbokl

Abstract Background Ain Shams University Virtual Hospital (AVH) has been offering telemedicine services since 2016. During the COVID-19 pandemic it has become essential to offer healthcare services in a safe way. Telemedicine was the perfect choice worldwide to compensate for the deficiency of physical healthcare services. Limitations especially in the elderly population questioned the feasibility of the telegeriatrics model. Aim To study the feasibility and acceptability of the AVH telemedicine model in geriatric patients. Methodology A cross-sectional study performed from April to October 2020 recruiting patients above 60 years receiving telemedicine services as part of the telemedicine program delivered via AVH. Data was collected via Google forms that were sent to the patients and physicians via Whats app. Results 1471 patients were triaged via the Whats app managed by geriatric consultants and 64 received video consultations. 849 patients responded to the surveys from all age groups of which 21.8% were above 60 years. From the responders 19.7% consulted geriatric medicine while the 2.1% consulted other specialties. Most satisfaction domains were 85% and above positive responses with an insignificant difference between age groups. 90% of physicians felt confident in their medical management using telemedicine. Conclusion: telegeriatrics is feasible as it is well accepted, easily used and preferred over clinic visits during the COVID-19 pandemic and after, by patients. Physicians are confident in their management using it.


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