Socio-Economic Determinants of Multimorbidity among the Elderly Population in a Rural Area in Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu
Author(s): Vidhyashree MD*, Adhilakshmi R and Kamini B
Abstract
A major public health challenge in most of the developing countries among elderly population is Multi-morbidity. However, information on the size of population suffering from multi-morbidity and socio-economic differentials of multi-morbidity is scarce. Most often elderly may suffer from multiple chronic conditions leads to socio economic burden which can cause social isolation. Objective: To assess the socio -economic determinants with the multimorbidity among the geriatric population in rural field practice area, Sripuram (RHTC) of Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital. Methods: A community based cross sectional study conducted among elderly men and women aged above 60 years who belonged to the rural field practice area, Sripuram, located at Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The required sample size of 300 was arrived by using Simple random sampling technique. Results: Among 300 elders, 55.3 % has support and 55.3% has no support and 12% were living alone. Economically independent elder were 52.7%, fully economically dependent elder were 31.7% and partially economically dependent elder were 15.6%. It was found that only 7.7% elders were clinically free from health problem. Positive Correlations observed between Age and monthly income with Health expenditure. Conclusion: The health problems of the elderly are aggravated by the lack of social security, inadequate accessibility for health care, rehabilitation and recreation. By providing the education on the risk factors of multimorbidity will reduce the socio economic burden of the elderly.