PREVALENCE OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG GERIATRIC POPULATION IN AL- NASIRIYAH CITY 2015

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the extent of NCDs among geriatric people in AlNasiriyah city together with an assessment of general health status and the health care services provided to this segment of the population. Methodology: Analytical, cross-sectional study in form of household survey had been conducted in AlNasiriyah City, from 1 October 2015 to the end of August 2016. A multistage sampling involving 423 individuals aged ≥ 60 years as a representative sample. Results: The overall prevalence of chronic NCDs was 89%. The top five chronic diseases were hypertension (67%), diabetes (31.2%), musculoskeletal diseases (15.4%), heart diseases (11.1%), and cataract (12.8%). Prevalence of mutimorbidity (patient with two or more chronic diseases) was 59%. The main geriatric symptoms were vision problems (77.8%), feeling sad or depressed (36.4%), hearing problems (31.7%), falls (30%), memory problems (22.9%), and urinary symptoms