LIVED EXPERIENCES OF HEALTH PROBLEMS OF ELDERLY RESIDING IN URBAN AREAS, KATHMANDU: PILOT STUDY
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences (IJMRHS) - Year 2015, Vol 4, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: Globally, number of old age population is increasing with advancement of biomedical technology. Old age is the time associated with biological, psychological and social changes which situate elderly to acquire different health related problems. Objectives: To find out lived experiences of elderly regarding their health problems residing in homes of Kathmandu city. Methods: Qualitative hermeneutic phenomenology approach was adopted. Researcher selected purposively four elderly residing in an urban area of Kathmandu Valley as the study participants. In-depth interview was conducted by using in-depth interview guideline, as well as medical records, field notes and observation clues were recorded. Interview was conducted in Nepali Language and was audio taped. The recording was transcribed by the researcher herself, and the data were analyzed thematically. Finally, different sources of data were triangulated. Results: The four main themes identified were physical health problems, impaired functional abilities, psychological and social problems. Experienced physical health problems were joint pain, hearing and vision deficit, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, gastritis and fall injury. Impaired Functional abilities in performing activities of daily living was commonly experienced problems. Loneliness and decreased recent memory power were the psychological problems. Being neglected by family members, financial constraints for treatment and improper care during illness were the discerned social problems. Conclusion: Elderly are suffering from different physical health problems, impaired functional abilities, as well as various psycho-social problems. Thus, health promotional activities need to be promoted for decreasing morbidity of elderly. Family members need to be focused in the care of elderly through national policy.
Authors and Affiliations
Bista Archana| PhD Scholar in Nursing, Department, Research & Educational Science, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine, Nursing Campus, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu Nepal, Email: archanabista67@yahoo.com, Joshi Sarala| Professor, Head of Department, Research & Educational Science, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Medicine, Nursing Campus, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu Nepal
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP11516
- DOI 10.5958/2319-5886.2015.00156.3
- Views 232
- Downloads 11
Evaluating the effect of genistein on the amount of BDNF protein in the spinal cord of diabetic ovariectomized rats
BDNF (Brain derived neurotrophic factor) is a secretion protein and a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors. Studies have shown that in ovariectomized animals, the expression of BDNF decreased. However, r...
Correlation between Serum Tryptase Level and Disease Severity in Asthmatic Patients in the Sulaimani Governorate
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lower airways, characterized clinically by reversible airway obstruction and bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR). Tryptase is a neutral serine protease and is the most...
Care experiences and challenges of inpatients' companions in Iran's health care context: A qualitative study
Among the clients of nursing services, family members, as patient companions, serve as both caregiver and care receiver, such that specialized care is delivered by nurses and primary care is delegated to the patient com...
A Rare Case of Second Trimester Uterine Rupture in Unscarred Uterus
Second trimester uterine rupture is rare and presents with life threatening emergency. Few cases have been reported in literature. Most of the cases which have been reported are with the use of labor-induction agents in...
Effectiveness of Scenario-based Education on the Performance of the Nurses in the Critical Cardiac Care Unit for Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
One of the key issues among those suffering from acute coronary syndrome is the treatment and caring of them. The present research seeks to study the effectiveness of scenario-based education on the performance of the n...