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 89
- Downloads 0
Bacterial isolates in traumatic globe ruptured patients in a peripheral tertiary medical college and hospital
Background: Ocular trauma can lead to access of bacteria to the intra ocular contents. So the information of the bacterial contaminants is crucial to institute empirical antibiotic therapy to preven...
A case control study: sociodemographic variant for mental illness
Background: Psychiatric disorders are common in the community. The need of the hour is to develop epidemiological databases (registries) of adequate sample sizes with better funding and coordination, utilizing cul...
Retrospective histological analysis of CNS tumors – A 5 year study
Background: Cancers of the central nervous system (CNS) are considered to be among the most notorious of all cancers. The brain and spinal cord are complex & delicate organs that control the higher functions,...
Is there a difference between the flexible and rigid reamer in femoral tunnel length in ACL reconstruction in anteromedial portal
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was functionally done on trans-tibial section and was creating vertical long tunnel. Nowadays, it is done by modified trans-tibial and anterior-medial portal wh...
Role of adenosine deaminase in diagnosis of exudative type of pleural effusion
Background: The diagnosis of tubercular pleural effusion remains a common clinical challenge. At least 50% of cases of tubercular pleural effusion present as primary disease without involvement of other organs. Objective...