Profile of elderly attending primary : health care centers In Bahrain

الملخص EN

This cross-sectional study is aimed at describing some demographic, health and social characteristics of elderly attending health centers in Bahrain.

Of the 22 health center in Bahrain 4 were randomly selected for conducting the study.

All the elderly attending the selected health centers during the study period (17-28 July 1999) were interviewed by the study group member.

Total of 201 elderly were included in this study with 106 (53 %) males and 95 (47 %) females.

80 % of them were young-old (65-75 years) and most of them were illiterate (77.6 %).

81.1 % were living with their children (with or without the spouse).

The prevalence of health problem among elderly was high with 36.3 % for Diabetes mellitus, 39.3 % for Hypertension and 15.4 % for cardiovascular diseases.

58.2 % had joints problem, 79.1 % had visual problems and 39.8 % had hearing problems.