Profile of Chronic Conditions among Older Adults in Old-age Homes: A Cross-sectional Study from Odisha, India
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Background: India's aging population increasingly relies on institutional care, yet limited research exists on the health profile of old-age home residents. Understanding chronic disease patterns in these settings is crucial for developing appropriate healthcare strategies. Objective: To assess the prevalence of chronic conditions and identify associated sociodemographic factors among older adults residing in old-age homes in Odisha, India. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 168 residents aged ≥60 years from eight old-age homes across six districts of Odisha, selected through cluster random sampling. We used the validated Multimorbidity Assessment Questionnaire for Primary Care (MAQ-PC) to assess self-reported chronic conditions. We calculated descriptive statistics for prevalence estimates and used logistic regression analysis to examine associations with sociodemographic factors. Results: The study population had a mean age of 71.3 years (SD±8.7), with 61.9% females. Arthritis was the most prevalent condition (48.2%, 95% CI: 40.7-55.8%), followed by hearing impairment (32.1%, 95% CI: 25.2-39.7%), chronic backache (29.2%, 95% CI: 22.5-36.5%), and hypertension (23.8%, 95% CI: 17.6-30.9%). Individuals aged ≥80 years showed significantly higher odds of arthritis (AOR: 2.98, 95% CI: 1.14-7.80) and chronic backache (AOR: 4.38, 95% CI: 1.58-12.13). Multimorbidity was present in 67.3% of residents, with an average of 2.4 chronic conditions per person. Conclusions: This study reveals high prevalence of chronic conditions among old-age home residents in Odisha, with musculoskeletal disorders and sensory impairments being predominant. These findings highlight the need for specialized geriatric care standards and targeted healthcare services in institutional settings. However, results should be interpreted cautiously due to reliance on self-reported data and potential selection bias inherent in institutional care settings.
