Study of Morbidity Pattern in Geriatric Population in Rural Areas of Aligarh

Elderly population, in India as well as worldwide, is increasing rapidly over the years. Geriatric medicine is yet to acquire an important place in India. People aged 60 years and above are considered as the Elderly population. Elderly people are suffering from various physical, mental ,social and economical problems. Elderly are vulnerable to long term diseases of insidious onset such ascardiovascular illness, CVA, cancers, diabetes, musculoskeletal and mental illnesses. The present study was conducted in Rural Health Training Centre, Jawan, of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh .A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data from March and April 2015. A total of 100 persons of age 60 or more, who were living for more than 6 months in Jawan village, formed the target group. An informed consent was taken from them. A detailed history was taken regarding present and past illness. The laboratory investigations available at RHTC were done on each included person .The data was entered into excel sheet and was analyzed. The study population comprises 100 people, out of which 60% were males and 40% females.90% were illiterate and 10%were literate.98% of the study population were dependent on their children for their livelihood. Only 2% were independent. The most common complaints were generalized bodyache(53%) and diminished vision due to refractive error(60%). It was followed by cataract problem(30%) and joint pain problems(30%). Known hypertensives were 22% and known diabetics were 8%. Dental problems were present in 27% of the subjects. Chronic cough was present in 25% of subject’s. Asthma and impaired hearing was present in 21% of subjects. Hemoglobin (<12gm%) was present in 65% of subjects. The elderly population represents a high prevalence of morbidity like impaired vision, joint pains, cataract etc. So there is need to provide training to health care providers to manage the existing health problems in the community.