ELDERLY IN ABBOTTABAD

HEALTH PROBLEMS AND LONELINESS

Authors

  • Nazar Afaridi Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad
  • Hamid Mahmood Islam Medical College, Sialkot
  • Abdullah Mashoori Islam Medical College, Sialkot
  • Ammara Waqar PIQC, Lahore
  • Sitara Hassan PIQC, Lahore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29309/TPMJ/2014.21.01.1930

Keywords:

Health problems, loneliness, mean score, microenvironment groups

Abstract

Research Question: What are the health-related problems of the aged and why
do they feel lonely? Objective: To study the health-related problems and loneliness among the
elderly in different micro-environment groups. Participants: Aged persons of age 65 years and
above. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Urban and rural area of Abbottabad. Period: 1st Jan,
2012 to 31st Dec, 2012. Statistical Analysis: t-test and Z-test. Results: During the study, it was
found that out of the total 361 aged persons of Abbott bad, 311 (86.1%) persons reported one or
more health-related complaints, with an average of two illnesses. The illness was higher among
the females (59.5%) as compared to males (40.5%). The main health-related problems were
disorders of the circulatory system (51.2%), musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
(45.7%). It was also found that loneliness was prevalent more in females (72.8%) as compared to
males (65.6%). Loneliness was more prevalent among persons who lived alone (92.2%) as
compared to those who lived with their spouse (58.9%) or when husband and wife lived with the
family (61.4%). It was higher among the widows (85.2%) and widowers (75.8%) who lived with the
family as compared to the aged who lived with the spouse (58.9%) and the aged husband and
wife who lived with the family (61.4%). Conclusions: Special geriatric services should be started
in the hospitals as the majority of the aged have one or more health-related problems. The aged
persons should be involved in social activities to avoid loneliness among them.

Author Biographies

Nazar Afaridi, Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad

Associate Professor of ENT

Hamid Mahmood, Islam Medical College, Sialkot

Professor of Bio Chemistry

Abdullah Mashoori, Islam Medical College, Sialkot

Assistant Professor

Ammara Waqar, PIQC, Lahore

,

Sitara Hassan, PIQC, Lahore

,

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Published

2014-02-10