Morbidity Patterns and Health Care Seeking Behavior among Older Widows in India

Abstract

In the process of health transition, India is facing rapid pace of demographic aging. Rapid increase in older adult population posed serious concerns regarding health and health care utilization for them. However, very limited research documented resultant implications of demographic aging for health and health care use in the nexus of marital status and gender. With this perspective, the present study examined patterns in morbidity prevalence and health seeking behaviour among older widows in India. Multivariate logistic regression models were estimated to examine the effects of socio-demographic conditions on morbidity prevalence among older widows and their health care seeking behavior. Data from the latest 60th round of National Sample Survey (NSS), 2004 was used. Overall, morbidity prevalence was 13% greater among older widows compared to older widowers. Adjusted prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases was found 74 and 192 per 1000 older widows respectively. At the same time, likelihood of seeking health care services for reported morbidities was substantially lower among older widows. The findings of this study are important to support policy makers and health care providers in identifying individuals ‘at risk’ and could be integrated into the current programs of social, economic and health security for the older persons.

Factors that influence the health of older widows and widowers—A systematic review of quantitative research

“…Agrawal and Keshri () revealed that the prevalence of communicable diseases was lower among older widows compared with older widowers. Perkins et al () found that a widower who had impaired cognitive ability and a mental disorder experienced poorer health.…”

“…Eight studies revealed that the older widows and widowers managed their emotional pain and suffering thanks to support described as social bonds, family support or support from friends and that their health problems made daily life a struggle (Agrawal & Keshri, 2014;DiGiacomo et al, 2013;Ghesquiere et al, 2013;Jeon et al, 2013;Perkins et al, 2016;Tiedt et al, 2016;Xu et al, 2017;Zhou & Hearst, 2016). In four studies, the participants needed support from their children and families (Jeon et al, 2013;Panagiotopoulos et al, 2013;Tiedt et al, 2016;Xu et al, 2017), as well as from other people (DiGiacomo et al,2013;Ghesquiere et al, 2013).…”

“…Six of the included studies described the informants as having multimorbidity or chronic diseases that caused them to struggle with poor physical health (Agrawal & Keshri, 2014;DiGiacomo et al, 2013;Jeon et al, 2013;Perkins et al, 2016;Tiedt et al, 2016;Zhou & Hearst, 2016) (Table 4). Three of the studies mainly focused on depression but also included information on chronic diseases (DiGiacomo et al, 2013;Jeon et al, 2013;Tiedt et al, 2016).…”

“…Four studies described the small sample size (Tables 1 and 2), which can increase bias. Two studies lacked consideration of how to minimize bias (Agrawal & Keshri, 2014;Burns, Browning, & Kendig, 2015). Four studies were based on self-report questionnaires (Table 1).…”

Morbidity pattern and psychosocial problems of elderly in a rural population of Uttar Pradesh, India: a cross-sectional study

“…13 Agrawal et al examined patterns in morbidity prevalence and found that morbidity prevalence was 13% greater among older widows compared to older widowers. 14 Adjusted prevalence of communicable and noncommunicable diseases was found 74 and 192 per 1000 older widows respectively.…”