HOUSEHOLD STUDY OF COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG ELDERLYIN AMER-VILLAGE OF SUEZ GOVERNORATE

Abstract

Contexts The demographic structure of the world has been undergoing a process of transformation, in which appears a significant trend towards an increasing percentage of the elderly. United Nations reports estimate this increase to be from 9.7% in the year 1960 to 22.7% in the year 2040, in proportion to the total world population. This category of people are often neglected, living alone, and have no access to medical care. So, research study is needed to determine the common health problems among elderly. Objective: To determine the common health problems among elderly. Design: Cross-sectional household study. Setting: Amer-village, a rural area of Suez Governorate. Studypopulation; A total of 416 elderly who were > 60 years of age. Study methods: Structured Interview, Clinical Sheet, Even Briefer Assessment Scale for Depression, and Mini-Mental State Examination Scale. Results: The 416 participants were aged 60 years and older with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. The mean age for men was 65.8 years (SD, 6.2) and for women was 65.4years(SD, 5.9). More than 70% of the elderly in this study were married the ratio wasl.5:1. It has been found that 74.3% of the elderly were illiterate, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.8.