Health indicators among elderly people with chronic diseases in Beni-Suef

Abstract EN

Background.

Chronic diseases and their risk factors have a substantial impact on elderly health.

Chronic disease indicators are essential for surveillance, prioritization, and evaluation of elderly health interventions.

Aim of the study : To assess selected health indicators among elderly with chronic diseases in Beni Suef Design : A descriptive study design was utilized in this study.

Setting : The study was conducted in two outpatient clinics (medical and chest clinics) at Beni Suef University hospital.

A convenient sample of one hundred elderly patients was selected in this study.

Method : two tools were used,: I : Interviewing questionnaire composed of six parts part I to assess sociodemographic characteristics, part II : to assess elderly medical history for chronic diseases, part III older people quality of life questionnaire to assess quality of life, part IV: Katz index to assess the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), part V : questionnaire to assess determinants of health as (body mass index, risk factors and lifestyle part VI : questionnaire to assess health system indicators (e.g., health care access, cost, quality and follow up.

Tool II Hamilton depression scale to assess the severity of depression Result : More than three-quarters of the studied sample had a sufficient quality of life.

77% were independent in ADL, while 23% were dependent and needed help.

89% of the elderly have depression as a result of chronic diseases.

Moreover, 65% of the studied sample had insufficient levels of awareness regarding healthy lifestyle and risk factors.

With regard to health system indicators, 96% experienced difficulty accessing health care services.

83% of the elderly have a body mass index in the normal range.

79% were nonsmokers.

Conclusion Severity of depression, determinants of health, and lifestyle indicators were significantly impacted by chronic diseases, while quality of life and ADL indicators were less affected by chronic diseases.

Recommendations Replication of the study in different settings with a large study sample to generalize the results.

Create an educational programme to raise nurses' awareness of chronic diseases, their indicators, and the importance of the monitoring process in improving elderly health.