MORBIDITY PATTERN AMONG ELDERLY POPULATION IN NORTHERN SAUDI ARABIA.

Abstract

Background: Elderly are vulnerable to long term health problems which are known to aging. The health problems of elderlies are usually multiple which results in a rapid decline in health status and a greater likelihood of disability. The objective of this study is to identify the various morbidities among elderly population in Northern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a purposive sample of elderlies over 60 years in Northern Saudi Arabia during period 3 months. Results: The total sample of the elderly patients in the study was181, gender percent was 55.2% female: 44.8% male. The mean age (±SD) was 62.5±4. The most prevalent morbidity is hypertension (43.6%) followed by diabetes mellitus (35.4%), myopia (32.6%), defective hearing (31.5%), myalgia and polyrthralgia (28.2%) Osteoarthritis knee (21.5%). Females are at higher risks of having many types elderly diseases compared to males. Conclusion and recommendations: The study revealed that elderly were suffering from many morbidities. This high prevalence of morbidities in the geriatric population calls for greater allocation of health education programs, primary health care to them, better preventive programs, specifically targeting the elderly should be implemented.