Health Status of the Elderly in Urban Mysore: a Status Report

With the aim of assessing health status of geriatric people, present study was conducted in the urban field practice area of J. S. S. Medical College, Mysore. Thus a study to explore morbidity pattern, functional status and psychological problems was carried out. Using convenience sampling method,elderly aged 60 years and above were subjected for personal interview and clinical examinations. Data was collected on demographic, socio-economic, environmental and morbidity conditions. A pre-tested and semi structured proforma was used for personal interview, and clinical examinations were done. For these purpose informed written consent was taken from the study subjects which was in local language. Analyses were done in Epi-INFO. Overall highest morbidity observed was eye diseases. Prevalence of hypertension was found to be about 30%. Functional status of men was found to be better than the women. Mental illness was prevalent in only 1.3% of the study subjects.