A cross sectional study of prevalence of respiratory morbidity and assessment of quality of life among elderly population at a village in Bangalore urban district

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of respiratory morbidity among elderly in rural area ranges between 31- 35%. Quality of life is a subjective measure of wellbeing. Multiple morbidities have effect on quality of life. Aims & Objective: (1) To study the prevalence and risk factors of respiratory morbidity among the elderly at a village in Bangalore Urban district; (2) To assess the quality of life among them. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross sectional study conducted at Tarabanahalli, Bangalore Urban District, Karnataka. Study subjects consisted of elderly population aged ≥ 60 years residing at Tarabanahalli for at least 6 months. Data collection was done using a structured interview schedule based on SGRQ- C (St George’s respiratory questionnaire for COPD) and WHOQOL-BREF. Brief clinical examination of respiratory system was also done. Data analysis was done using SPSS for frequencies, measures of central tendencies, independent sample T test. Results: Total number of study subjects was 64. Males were 23(36%) and females were 41 (64%). Majority of the study subjects i.e 44 (68.75%) belonged to the age group 60- 69 years. Longest held job by most of the respondents was agriculture 61(95.3%).100% reported that they had ‘moderate’ occupational exposure to dust. 24 (37.5%) of the study subjects had the respiratory morbidity. Inadequate ventilation in the kitchen and use of firewood as cooking fuel were significantly associated with respiratory morbidity. There was no significant association between age, gender, type of job, years of exposure to dust, level of exposure at workplace, H/o smoking tobacco ever, current smoking, passive smoking & respiratory morbidity. Conclusion: A significant negative association was found between respiratory morbidity and ‘Physical health’ domain of quality of life.