Prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among the elderly in rural Puducherry, South India
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 11
Abstract
Background: Anemia in the elderly can lead to wide variety of complications as it is associated with increase in mortality and morbidity. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of anemia and its associated factors among the elderly in rural Puducherry, South India. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was done among 236 elderly during May–June 2017. Information regarding sociodemographic, behavioral, and morbidity profile was collected using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Digital hemoglobinometer was used to assess the hemoglobin level and the World Health Organization recommended cutoff was used to diagnose and categorize anemia. Results: Among 236 participants, mean (standard deviation) age was 67.9 (7.8) years. About 65.7% were females; 50% were practicing open-air defecation; 19.5% were current tobacco users, and 14.8% were current alcohol users; less than half were taking green leafy vegetables regularly; 46.3% of the elderly belonged to overweight and obese category. Regarding the morbidity profile, osteoarthritis was the most common morbidity among the participants followed by cataract. The prevalence of anemia among elderly participants was found to be 85.6% (95% confidence interval: 80.5%–89.5%). Majority of them belonged to moderate category. None of the factors explored in the study showed significant association with anemia. Conclusion: The current study found that almost nine in ten elderly in rural areas were anemic. Prevalence was slightly higher among the participants in higher age group, females, and those who practicing open-air defecation. Hence, it is important to identify these target population and develop appropriate intervention strategies to prevent anemia among the elderly.
Authors and Affiliations
Karthiga Vijayakumar, Sujiv Akkilagunta, Ganesh Kumar S, Yuvaraj Krishnamoorthy, Gayathri Surendran, Gokul Sarveswaran
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP489554
- DOI 10.5455/ijmsph.2018.0720920072018
- Views 69
- Downloads 0
Health education program about postmenopausal changes to perimenopausal women in an urban slum area, Coimbatore
Background: Menopause is the stage in every woman’s lifetime after which their body undergoes changes, to which the females have to adopt. There are several risk factors for menopause-related diseases, most of which are...
A study on hypertension in geriatric population in a slum of Kolkata
Background: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the major contributors of morbidity and mortality in the elderly people. Among them, hypertension is one of the most important treatable causes of morbidity and mortali...
Objective Structured Clinical Examination as an assessment method for undergraduate medical students
Background: One of the most important objectives for University of Dammam is to send competent graduated physicians into the society, which cannot be accomplished without assessments of the clinical skills of the stude...
Estrogen-sensitive hereditary angioedema type II: a case report and review
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal condition due to inherited deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH). Estrogen reduces the concentration of C1INH and trigger angioedema; however, the estrogen sen...
Overweight/obesity and physical work capacity of affluent adolescent girls (13–15 years) studying in selected public schools of Delhi
Background: Adolescent obesity is closely linked to lifestyle factors, including unhealthy eating habits and decreased physical activity. Objective: To identify overweight/obese adolescent girls aged 13–15 years...