Publication: Socioeconomic, Behavioural, and Health-related Characteristics of Older Adults
Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nepal Health Research Council
Abstract
Background: The global aging population is growing rapidly, and Nepal is no exception. This increase is driven by changes in socioeconomic conditions, health behaviours, and advancements in the health system. In Nepal, almost a quarter of the national population are older adults (≥45 years), whose health status is rarely elaborated. This study was carried out to assess the socioeconomic, behavioural, and health-related characteristics of older adults in Nepal.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 4,179 randomly selected older adults residing in Bagmati Province from July 2022 to June 2023, via a multi-stage sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire including Geriatric Depression Scale, Activity of Daily Living, and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living along with sociodemographic and health profiles were used for the data collection through face-to-face interviews. The data were described in frequency and percentage across the local levels (urban/rural) and gender. Chi-square tests were done for bivariate analyses.
Results: The mean age of the population was 61.66±11.1 years. The prevalence of multimorbidity, disability, and depression was found to be 27.6%, 23.3%, and 35.1% respectively. There was no significant difference between multimorbidity and depression across local levels, while there was a significant difference across disability status. There was a significant difference between multimorbidity and depression across genders.
Conclusions: This study provides comprehensive insights into the socioeconomic status, behavioural factors, and health status of older adults in Nepal. Study findings can inform interventions and policies at local levels to consider the unique needs of the older population in Nepal.
Keywords: Chronic diseases; depression; disability; Nepal; older adults.
Description
Bal Krishna Suvedi
Department of Public Health, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Isha Karmacharya
Department of Sociology and Gerontology and Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA
Shiba Bahadur Karkee
Department of Pharmacy, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Salau Din Myia
Department of Public Health, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Saruna Ghimire
Department of Sociology and Gerontology and Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA
Kshitij Karki
Department of Public Health, Asian College for Advance Studies, Lalitpur, Nepal
Devendra Raj Singh
Department of Public Health, Asian College for Advance Studies, Lalitpur, Nepal
Shishir Paudel
Department of Public Health, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Nirmal Raj Marasine
Department of Pharmacy, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Saloni Pandey
Department of Public Health, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Raksha Adhikari
Department of Public Health, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Bhawana Kafle
Department of Public Health, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Naveen Shrestha
Department of Public Health, CiST College, Pokhara University, Kathmandu, Nepal