Abstract
ObjectivesThis paper examines the ethnic and gender differentials in high blood pressure (HBP), diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), arthritis and asthma among older people in Malaysia, and how these diseases along with other factors affect self-rated health. Differentials in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases among older people are examined in the context of socio-cultural perspectives in multi-ethnic Malaysia.MethodsData for this paper are obtained from the 2004 Malaysian Population and Family Survey. The survey covered a nationally representative sample of 3,406 persons aged 50 and over, comprising three main ethnic groups (Malays, Chinese and Indians) and all other indigenous groups. Bivariate analyses and hierarchical logistic regression were used in the analyses.ResultsArthritis was the most common non-communicable disease (NCD), followed by HBP, diabetes, asthma and CHD. Older females were more likely than males to have arthritis and HBP, but males were more likely to have asthma. Diabetes and CHD were most prevalent among Indians, while arthritis and HBP were most prevalent among the Indigenous groups. Older people were more likely to report poor health if they suffered from NCD, especially CHD. Controlling for socio-economic, health and lifestyle factors, Chinese were least likely to report poor health, whereas Indians and Indigenous people were more likely to do so. Chinese that had HBP were more likely to report poor health compared to other ethnic groups with the same disease. Among those with arthritis, Indians were more likely to report poor health.ConclusionPerceived health status and prevalence of arthritis, HBP, diabetes, asthma and CHD varied widely across ethnic groups. Promotion of healthy lifestyle, early detection and timely intervention of NCDs affecting different ethnic groups and gender with socio-cultural orientations would go a long way in alleviating the debilitating effects of the common NCDs among older people.
Highlights
One of the major challenges of population aging is meeting the healthcare needs of rapidly increasing number of older persons suffering from various health problems
High blood pressure is more common among Blacks in a Western population, and diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent among Indians [4,5]
Chinese and Indians were relatively more likely than Malays and Indigenous people to exercise more than 3 times a week, whereas the prevalence of smoking was highest among the Indigenous people
Summary
One of the major challenges of population aging is meeting the healthcare needs of rapidly increasing number of older persons suffering from various health problems. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the most common health problems, and are the primary causes of death in many countries. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes are the top four NCDs which have resulted in highest number of deaths, especially in low and middle-income countries [1]. NCD patients suffer health and physical limitations and are burdened by the costly treatment of these diseases [1,2]. High blood pressure is more common among Blacks in a Western population, and diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are more prevalent among Indians [4,5]
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