5314.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 9:00 PM

Abstract #10226

Elderly and health care support systems in rural India

Pramod K. Dwivedi, MSW, MS, Epidemiology Program, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, 2800 Woods Blvd., #1009, Lincoln, NE 68502, 402-441-6204, pdwivedi@ci.lincoln.ne.us

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India to explore the current health status and health care support systems of rural elderly population. A snow-ball sampling was employed in order to identify 96 men and women elderly with some type of disability from 5 villages. A significant difference was observed among men and women, and among upper class and lower class elderly in terms of accessing the health care benefits and quality of care. Although there continues to be an increased out-migration to the cities, the responsibility of care of elderly is largely undertaken by the family members or relatives. Respiratory diseases were the most common cause of disability among the people interviewed.

Learning Objectives: Recognize the health problems of disabled elderly in rural India, List the most prevalent diseases among these elderly, Discuss the health and/or family support systems available to meet their needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Center for International Rural and Environmental Health, University of Iowa
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA