Health status of elderly: a comparative study among urban and rural dwellers

Abstract

Background: Due to advancement in the medical science, the life expectancy is showing an increase in every census. Hence there is also growing demand to have good quality of life among the elderly. The objective of the study was to assess and compare the health status of elderly in urban areas of Shapur and rural areas of Gummadidala.Methods: A Community based cross sectional study was carried out in rural areas located at Gummadidala, Nallavelli, Anantharam and in urban areas located at Shapur, Kalavathinagar, Subashnagar among geriatric aged people above 60 years. Study was conducted over a period of eight months from August 2017 to March 2018.Results: Overall almost all diseases were more common in rural elders compared to the urban elders except gynecological diseases. Among these hypertension, ear diseases, skin diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological disorders, cancer and neurological diseases were significantly more common in rural elders than urban elders (p<0.05). Only gynecological diseases were significantly more common in urban women and this may be due to more percentage of hysterectomies among rural females.Conclusions: Elderly people in the rural areas are more prone to suffer from diseases as compared to their urban counterparts.

Risk Assessment of Addiction and Tobacco Misuse in Community of the Rural Older Adult, Using Monte Carlo Simulation Sampling

“…In one rural community in India, 29% of older men were smoking, while women didn't do so (2). It should be noted that 29.3% of men and 45.4% of women in this study used chewing tobacco (2). In Europe, in 2010, smoking was observed in 11.5% of the elderly over the age of 65 years.…”

“…For example, Shikha et al (12) showed that tobacco addiction was significantly more common in men than women in the rural area of India. In one rural community in India, 29% of older men were smoking, while women didn't do so (2). It should be noted that 29.3% of men and 45.4% of women in this study used chewing tobacco (2).…”

“…All questionnaires were filled correctly, and none of them was excluded. In this study, descriptive statistics, mean comparisons, analysis of variance, and t and χ 2 tests were incorporated to analyze the data. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS V.25.…”

“…For instance, children, the elderly, minorities, and pregnant women are expected to be effectively supported by the government. Aging is a cognitive and demographic phenomenon with various impacts (2). But Accessibility to health care services among older adults is challenged by living in remote places, impassable routes home to the health center, and some health-related reasons.…”

Health Status of Geriatric Population in Rural and Urban Areas of Varanasi - A Comparative Study

“…5 In present study, the problems of heart diseases were reported more in geriatric population of rural areas (1.6%) than of urban areas (4.8%). In a study conducted by Zare VR et al (2018) in Hyderabad, the prevalence of heart diseases in respondents of rural and urban areas were 6% and 4% of the respondents, respectively. 13 Total 40.8% of the elderly in the study suffered from musculoskeletal problems, but it was high in urban elderly respondents as compared to rural ones.…”