Socio-Economic Inequalities in the Prevalence of Multi-Morbidity among the Rural Elderly in Bargarh District of Odisha (India)

Abstract

BackgroundMulti-morbidity among elderly is increasingly recognized as a major public health challenge in most of the developing countries. However, information on the size of population suffering from multi-morbidity and socio-economic differentials of multi-morbidity is scarce. The objectives of this paper are twofold; first, to assess the prevalence of various chronic conditions and morbidity among rural elderly and second, to examine the socio-economic and demographic factors that have a significant effect on the morbidity.MethodsA cross-sectional survey has been done using multi-stage random sampling procedure that was conducted among elderly (60+ years) in Bargarh District of Odisha during October 2011-February 2012. The survey was conducted among 310 respondents including 153 males and 157 females. Descriptive analyses were performed to assess the pattern of multi-morbidity. Logistic regression analyses were used to see the adjusted effect of various socio-economic and demographic covariates of multi-morbidity.ResultsThe overall prevalence of multi-morbidity is 57% among rural elderly in Bargarh District of Odisha. The most common diseases in rural areas are: Arthritis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), High Blood Pressure and Cataract. Results from the logistic regression analyses show that age, state of economic independence and life style indicators are the most important measured predictors of multi-morbidity. Unlike earlier studies, wealth index and education have a marginal impact on multi-morbidity rate. Moreover, the occurrence of multi-morbidity is higher for elderly males compared to their female counterparts, though the difference is not significant.ConclusionThe high prevalence of morbidity observed in the present study suggests that there is an urgent need to develop geriatric health care services in a developing country like India. Any effort to reorganize primary care for elderly people should also consider the high prevalence of multi-morbidity among rural elderly in India.

Prevalence, Correlates, and Outcomes of Multimorbidity Among Patients Attending Primary Care in Odisha, India

“…15 The higher likelihood of multimorbidity among older adults, women, and those with higher income level is congruent with findings from studies from South Asia. 4,6 The observed inverse correlation between socioeconomic status and multimorbidity, though, contrasts with that of Western countries, but it is consistent with previous findings from India. …”

“…[1][2][3] In the developing countries, little information on multimorbidity is available and is based on secondary data and limited to a only a few chronic conditions and geriatric groups. [4][5][6] With our previous study, for which data were based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Study on Global Aging and Adult Health (SAGE), we reported a 8.9% prevalence of multimorbidity in Indian adults. 7 Our systematic review on multimorbidity in South Asia found a lack of uniformity in the definition and assessment of multimorbidity, and no information from primary care in India.…”

Simultaneidade de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em 2013 nas capitais brasileiras: prevalência e perfil sociodemográfico*

“…Investigations into the existence of simultaneity, without attributing difference to the accumulation of diseases, found similar results in the elderly. 23 This fact may be justified by the transition of marital status from single to living with partners and adopting unhealthy behaviors, such as reduction in physical activities, poorer diet and sleeping patterns. 24 There was no distinction between the prevalence of black/brown and white ethnicity/skin color in the population living in the Brazilian state capital cities.…”

The socioeconomic correlates of substance use among male adults in Northeast India

“…5 Smoking and chewing tobacco increase morbidity both among adults and the elderly. 6,7 Although there is great variation in substance use across different regions of India, 8 limited efforts have been made to understand the prevalence and determinants of substance use at the regional level. In particular, there is a dearth of research on substance consumption in Northeast India (NEI).…”