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Assessment of the nutritional status and identification of health risk factors of older people in Khartoum State.

Article Excerpt
Abstract

This study aims to assess the nutritional status and identify the health risk factors that face older Sudanese people of both sexes living in Khartoum Sate. Three groups were studied: the first group represented older people (women and men) living in older people's homes of Alsagana and Bahri in Khartoum State ;the second group represented older people of low socio-economic status and the third group represented people of high socio-economic status; both were in Khartoum State.

Data was collected by using questionnaires for respondents in general and focus group discussions were also carried out with the staff of the older people's homes. In addition, anthropometric measurements using BMI, were used to assess the nutritional status of the respondents.

The major findings of the study have shown that, most of inmates in Alsagana and Bahri older homes were mal-nourished. This was attributed to insufficient services; especially nutritional services, which suffer from insufficient funds provided by the Ministry of Social Welfare. Also, lack of qualified staff and lack of clear strategies and policies for the administration of the homes. Insignificant correlations were found between nutrition status and diseases ([X.sup.2]=12.03, P=0.149), nutrition status and number of meals ([X.sup.2]=4.13, P=0.38) and nutrition status and educational level ([X.sup.2]=10.66, P=0.55).

A high percentage of over weight respondents was found for the high socio-economic group (56% males and 66.7% females). Moreover, an overall percentage of malnutrition (over and under weight) among this group (70% males and 74.4% females) was observed. This is explained by the relationship between nutrition status and identified risk factors, of this studied group. There was a high significant correlation ([X.sup.2]=21.86, P=0.002) between the nutrition status and the number of meals taken per day; there was an insignificant correlation between the nutrition status and educational level ([X.sup.2]=2.99, P=0.08); also there was an insignificant correlation between nutrition status and diseases ([X.sup.2]=17.90, P=0.05). However, the main cause of the problem was not affordability but the lack of nutrition awareness.

Whereas, for the low socio-economic group the percentages of malnutrition found among the males and females were 20% and 23.3% respectively; the same percentage was registered for over weight. This situation will give an overall percentage of malnutrition among this group of 40% in males and 46.6% females. There was a relationship between nutrition status and identified risk factors of this group.

Also there was a insignificant correlation between nutrition status and educational level ([X.sup.2]=4.89, P=0.84) and between the nutrition status and diseases ([X.sup.2]=13.42, P=0.14), but a high significant correlation between psychological and nutrition status was found ([X.sup.2]=36.02, P=0.0) Although, the availability was of importance as a factor behind the above situation, but lack of nutrition awareness would rank high as the major factor behind the above situation. Relevant recommendations to the situation were made.

Introduction

In most African countries there are no special arrangements to meet the health needs of older people. There are no separate wards for the elderly in hospitals; there are also no geriatric units, even in technical hospitals.

Africans are suffering from poverty, diseases and inadequate health care, which directly lead to malnutrition. The latter is a major problem that results from poor economy, poor agricultural infrastructures, weather and insufficient knowledge on nutrition demand (Gregory and Peachy, 1997). Nevertheless, older persons (60and above) constitute a group of people who are considered at risk of poor dietary intake and nutritional problems. Whereas, the majority of poor older people in developing countries enter age after a lifetime of poverty and deprivation, poor access to health care and a diet that is usually inadequate in quality and quantity. Moreover, the relatively higher incidence of chronic diseases and reduced mobility among the elderly require greater health expenditures for these age groups (WHO, 1999).

For most of these older persons, retirement is not an option. Poverty, lack of pensions, complex emergencies such as war, displacement, drought, flooding, and rural to urban migration of younger people are among the factors that compel older persons to continue working. Adequate nutrition, healthy ageing, and the ability to function independently are thus essential components of a good quality of life. Therefore, there is a need to provide appropriate social and health care services to emerging elderly populations within the context of comprehensive national policies (WHO, 1994).

Although ageing is not considered a priority issue in the Arab region, the absolute...

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