Abstract
Demographic and epidemiological transitions reveal geriatric problems as burning public health issue. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to explore the health awareness among geriatric people in Mirpur in Dhaka city from January to April 2008 on purposively selected persons aged 60 years and above. An interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The mean age of the respondents was found to be 66.5 ±7.25 yrs (Range: 60-103 yrs). It was found that perfect knowledge about food, nutrition, health and disease is significantly high among male respondents. The study revealed that 13.3% and 12.8% respondents have perfect knowledge on balanced diet and fiber containing food for regular bowel movement respectively. A large number of respondents (40.6%) were found having no knowledge about osteoporosis preventing foods. It was also found that 38.0% and 22.6% respondents have no knowledge regarding the causes of gingivitis and helminthasis respectively. On the basis of significant findings, it was suggested that more emphasis should be given on health education and awareness among geriatric people in order to ensure physical, mental and socially sound health. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i4.9497 BJMS 2011; 10 (4): 260-265
Highlights
Population ageing is gaining momentum in developing countries, as demographic transformation has profound consequences for all individuals, families, communities and nations. 1-3 Population aged over 60 years currently represents about 7% of the total population of Bangladesh and is projected to represent 16% by 2050 4 and will undoubtedly face its own aging crisis in the two to three decades.[5]
Geriatric people are the most vulnerable group of population in Bangladesh and lack of health awareness increases the malnutrition, disease and disability of this greater portion of the population. 3,4 Regarding knowledge about balanced diet the present study reveals that 13.5% had perfect knowledge, 2.6% had partial knowledge, 68.9% had poor knowledge, and 19.0% had no knowledge about balance diet (Figure-3)
A study on rural elderly people. 14 showed that 12.7% had correct knowledge, 25.5% had partial knowledge, 20.0% had poor knowledge and 41.8% had no knowledge about balanced diet which is consistent with present study by perfect knowledge
Summary
Population ageing is gaining momentum in developing countries, as demographic transformation has profound consequences for all individuals, families, communities and nations. 1-3 Population aged over 60 years currently represents about 7% of the total population of Bangladesh and is projected to represent 16% by 2050 4 and will undoubtedly face its own aging crisis in the two to three decades.[5]. Population ageing is gaining momentum in developing countries, as demographic transformation has profound consequences for all individuals, families, communities and nations. The Government of Bangladesh is committed to sustainable improvement in health, nutrition and family welfare especially for vulnerable groups such as the elderly. These commitments are out line in the Health, Nutrition and Population Sector Programme (20032010)[7] and the National S trategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction.[8] The current study was undertaken to find out the level of knowledge about food, nutrition, health and disease among elderly population
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