A STUDY ON MORBIDITY PATTERN AND CARE SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF ELDERLY IN A RURAL AREA OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA

Ray Karmakar, A Chattopadhyay
2012 International Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences   unpublished
Throughout the globe the elderly population is increasing-both in proportion and absolute number. Elderly people suffer from increasing morbidity-majority of which are chronic in nature. Present study aims to study the morbidity pattern among elderly in rural Bengal and also to ascertain their care seeking behavior .This cross sectional study was conducted in Singur block of West Bengal. Data were collected by interviewing the elderly with the help of a pre designed and pre tested schedule by
more » ... use to house visit and Clinical examination of the elderly. Almost all (96.95% male and 98.15% female) were suffering from one or more diseases. Average morbidities were more than three. Majority (86.9%) were having chronic diseases. Common health problems were periodontal disease, dental caries, cataract, osteoarthritis, hypertension, constipation, anemia, refractive error, upper respiratory infection and glossits/stomatitis. Out of the elderly who perceived them as sick only 71.78% sought treatment. Majority (53.37%) availed modern method of treatment and more than one fourth(28.22%) sought no treatment.Only13.88% sought treatment from government health facility due to fixed outdoor timing and indifferent attitude of staff.
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