Abstract

Background: With the increase in life expectancy, the number of people who have attained old age has increased throughout the globe, particularly more in the developing countries like India. Old age is associated with deterioration of health and increase in morbidity. To provide appropriate care for them there is a need to attain information about their morbidity pattern.
Objective: To study the pattern of certain health problems in the elderly population and to find out the difference in health problems between males and females, if any.
Materials and Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was carried out at field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre, JN Medical College, AMU, Aligarh using systematic random sampling with probability proportionate to size among 225 rural older individuals using pretested and predesigned questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out 2 using SPSS 20. Tests of proportion and χ -test was used. P-value <0.05 was considered significant. Result: Cataract was the most prevalent problem (80.9%), followed by depression (36.9%), refractive error (35.1%), locomotor problem (25.8%), and hearing problem (18.2%). Significant gender difference was seen in the prevalence of cataract, depression, and locomotor problems. Conclusion: The study concludes that the burden of health problems among elderly population is high that and focussed intervention based on the health care needs of the elderly is required to enable them lead a healthy & productive life.