Geriatric Health Status in a Rural Area of North Karnataka – A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Context: Today, older people are starting to form a higher proportion of the entire population in the whole community due to an increase in life expectancy. In the future, the challenge for our health care is to ensure proper quality of life, especially for the rural elderly who are devoid of basic amenities. This study attempts to assess the health status of the elderly in a rural area of Vijayapura district, which can help to plan health-care facilities for the old in this part of northern Karnataka. Aims: The aims of this study included the study of the sociodemographic profile and finding out the morbidity pattern among the rural geriatric age group. Settings and Design: The current study was done as cross-sectional research undertaken in Ukkali, the rural field practice areas of a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: One hundred and seventy-five elderly selected by the systematic random sampling method were included in this study. The participants were interviewed using pretested and semi-structured questionnaires through house-to-house visits and data were collected. Statistical Analysis: The statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and proportions. Results: The most commonly prevalent morbidities found were joint pain (47.1%) and hypertension (34.3%). Association was found between various morbidities and habits in the rural elderly. Conclusion: The present study concludes that health demand in the elderly is of high importance in the Indian scenario, especially in rural areas. Efforts are needed to educate and make these elderly aware of healthy aging.