Reported Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Non Communicable Diseases among Inmates of Old-Age Homes in IPOH, Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Chronic Non Communicable disease is one of the common causes to elderly morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors that contribute to chronic non communicable illness among elderly inmates of old age homes in Ipoh.  

Materials and Method: This is a cross sectional study and the sample size was calculated using the standard formula assuming the prevalence is 60% (as observed from previous research) and a worst acceptable prevalence as 50%. A total of 92 elderly respondents were interviewed to obtain the information on socioeconomic factors, lifestyle factors and morbidity. The data was analyzed using SPSS 17.0.

Results: The mean age of the study participants was 73.79 years and majority were females (53.3%). Majority of the participants in our study was above 75 years of age. Hypertension (47.8%) was the highest prevalent chronic disease among the study participants followed by osteoarthritis (34.8%), diabetes mellitus (26.1%), respiratory disorders (14.1%) and cerebro-vascular accidents (10.9%). Hypertension was significantly higher among females. Female respondents were more affected with chronic illnesses as compared to male respondents. Majority of the inmates were engaged in physical activities (59.8%). Carbohydrate and fried food intake were reportedly high among the inmates (>80%). Fruits and vegetable intake was very good among all the inmates.

Conclusion: Hypertension was the most prevalent health problem among the study participants and it was significantly higher among females. Practice of physical exercise and high fibre diet intake was higher among the inmates.