Chronic diseases and relevant factors of the elderly in Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city 2020

Abstract

The increasing of chronic diseases in the community elderly is one of problems that need timely attention and support. This study aims to describe chronic diseases and relevant factors of the elderly in Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city 2020. A descriptive cross-sectional study on 438 elderly people in 6 out of 11 wards of Ninh Kieu district shows that 82.6% of the elderly are currently suffering from chronic diseases. Five chronic diseases that account for the highest rate of the study objects are hypertension (48.9%), joint disease (24.4%), vision loss (22.4%), diabetes (14.4%) and osteoporosis (11.9%). The factors related to the prevalence of chronic diseases in the elderly inclue: age group (p = 0.003), current job (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2 - 3, 9; p = 0.012), education level (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1 - 3.1; p = 0.023), current marital status (OR = 2.3; CI 95 %: 1.3 – 4.2; p = 0.004), smoking (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.0 - 3.6; p = 0.009) and drink alcohol excessively frequently in the past 6 months (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1 ,2 - 3.7; p = 0.019). The prevalence of chronic diseases among the elderly in Ninh Kieu district is high. It is necessary to have appropriate measures to manage and support health care for risk groups.