A Cross-Sectional Study on the Morbidity Pattern Among Geriatric Population in an Old Age Home in South Kerala

Abstract

 Background: Ageing is a natural process and constitutes population above 60 years. In India, for the year 2010, the estimates were 8% of total population were above the age of 60 years, and is likely to rise to 19% by 2050. Hence the present study was done with the objective of 1.To study the morbidity pattern among geriatric population in study area 2.To study the associated risk factors with morbidity in study population. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 148 elderly participants aged 60 years and above in an old age home in Pathanapuram from 10-08-2023 to 10-09-2023. Severely ill participants and those suffering from psychiatric illness and Alzheimers diseases were excluded from the study. Study was conducted using pre-structured questionnaire and clinical examination and medical records. Study was analysed using appropriate percentage, rates and association was measured using chi- square test (p<0.05). Results: The most common morbidity noted was musculoskeletal (73%) diseases of the eye (68.9%), oral cavity and salivary gland (60.1%), digestive system (45.3%), circulatory system (45.3%), endocrine along with nutritional and metabolic system (34.5%) among others. Smoking and alcohol consumption were more among males compared to females and this was found be statistically signicant. Conclusions: The morbidity pattern of different diseases among geriatric population was higher compared to other studies with high prevalence of associated co-morbidities