Assessment of Health Status of Elderly Population residing in the
Urban Field Practice Area of M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur:
A Cross-Sectional Study
Introduction
Thesis for M.D. (Community Medicine), Berhampur University - 2020 Page | 1
Assessment of Health Status of Elderly Population residing in the
Urban Field Practice Area of M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur:
A Cross-Sectional Study
“One who always serves and respects elderly is blessed with four things:
Long Life, Wisdom, Fame and Power”
Manusmriti Chapter 2:121
Human resource is considered as an asset for a country. It plays an
important role in economic development and growth. Greater the proportion of
young persons in the population of a country, larger is the workforce, and, thus,
more is the economic potential. The global demographic trend, however, tells us
that, with the passage of time, the countries have experienced ageing of
population.1
Ageing is a universal process and it affects each human being in the world.
It is a by-product of demographic transition, i.e., the change from high fertility
and mortality rates to low fertility and mortality rates. This phenomenon is more
evident in developed countries but recently it is increasing more rapidly in
developing countries.2
India, by no means, is an exception to this phenomenon. Over the years,
the structure of population has changed and will further change in the time to
come. The proportion of older persons in the population will increase.
Due to economic well-being, better health care system, good medicines,
etc., there is substantial reduction in mortality in the society. These factors
together have resulted in increasing number of elderly persons in the population.
Thesis for M.D. (Community Medicine), Berhampur University - 2020 Page | 2
Assessment of Health Status of Elderly Population residing in the
Urban Field Practice Area of M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur:
A Cross-Sectional Study
Population ageing has profound social, economic and political implications
for a country. The increasing number of older persons put a strain on health care
and social care systems in the country. Old age comes with lot of ailment and
diseases. In case of large number of elderly persons in the population, the country
needs more and more health and medical services, facilities and resources. More
and more number of hospitals, doctors, nurses are required. Government spending
on health care is increased with the increase of average age of population.
Very old people, due to their reduced mobility and debilitating disabilities,
need other people to do things for them. With the increasing trend of nuclear
families in the society and with fewer children in the family, the care of older
persons in the families gets increasingly difficult. To fulfil caring needs of aged
persons, more and more nursing people with appropriate skills are required.
Social security spending of Government also increases with the increase of
old age population. Due to increased longevity of life, pension bills increase. On
the other hand, lesser people of working age means lower number of working
people leading to lower tax base and lower tax collection. Economy grows slowly
as less money is available for spending on things that help economy grow. A
sizeable portion of money is spent on meeting requirement of old age population.
Government, thus, has to face the double whammy. On one side the resources are
shrunk, on the other, expenditure is increased.1
Thesis for M.D. (Community Medicine), Berhampur University - 2020 Page | 3
Assessment of Health Status of Elderly Population residing in the
Urban Field Practice Area of M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur:
A Cross-Sectional Study
Rationale of the Study:
Globally, the elderly population constitutes about 12% of the total
population of 7.3 billion. The number of elderly will double by 2050, reaching 2
billion and accounting for 22% of the global population, outnumbering those
under the age of 15 for the first time in history.3
In India too, the size and percentage of elderly population have been
increasing in recent years and this trend is likely to continue in the coming
decades. The share of population over the age of 60 is projected to increase from
8% in 2015 to 19% in 2050.3
Odisha presently has a population of 3,984,448 senior citizens, i.e., 9.5%
of the population, and as per population projections the number is likely to be
62.69 lakhs by the year 2026 and is expected to be 13.8% of Odisha’s population.4
Previous studies conducted in India show that more than 80% of the
geriatric population suffer from one or more medical problems.5–7
Therefore, there is a need to address the welfare dimension of the ageing
phenomenon, the vulnerability of the senior citizens and the impact thereof on the
family and society along with a variety of related concerns including the
economic and the ethical.
Estimates of health problems of the elderly are required from time to time
to predict trends in disease burden and plan health care for the elderly. We have
a poor track record of equitable distribution of health care. Marginalized groups
living in urban slums have poor penetration of health services.
Thesis for M.D. (Community Medicine), Berhampur University - 2020 Page | 4
Assessment of Health Status of Elderly Population residing in the
Urban Field Practice Area of M.K.C.G. Medical College, Berhampur:
A Cross-Sectional Study
There is a paucity of epidemiological studies pertaining to Geriatric Health
in Odisha. Moreover, no studies have been conducted previously to assess the
health status of elderly population residing in the urban areas of Southern Odisha.
Therefore, the present study, titled “Assessment of Health Status of
Elderly Population residing in the Urban Field Practice Area of M.K.C.G.
Medical College, Berhampur: A Cross-Sectional Study”, was taken up with
the following objectives:
1. To assess the socio-demographic profile of the elderly population
residing in the study area;
2. To study their morbidity pattern and associated risk factors;
3. To determine their health seeking behaviour and access to health care;
4. To assess the social security schemes availed by them; and
5. To suggest appropriate recommendations to improve the overall health
status of the elderly.
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