TAILIEUCHUNG - The Health Problems of the Elderly Living in Institutions and Homes in Zimbabwe

Cigarette smokers were times more likely to have respiratory diseases than those of non-smokers. Similarly consumption of alcohol and use of non-smoked tobacco were found to be risk factors of hypertension. BMI more than 25 was risk factor for hypertension and diabetes. On the other hand risk of respiratory diseases and cataract increased below a BMI of . Risk for musculoskeletal problems was found to be higher in both extremes of physical status. The higher risk of diseases to the both extremes of BMI suggests a U- shaped relationship of diseases with BMI. BMI less was also found to be a significant predictor of ADL- IADL disability among geriatric individuals. . | Journal of Social Development in Africa 1991 6 2 71-89 The Health Problems of the Elderly Living in Institutions and Homes in Zimbabwe ACNYANGURU ABSTRACT This paper is based on a study that showed that European women and African men have more health problems than African women European men and Coloureds of both sexes. Generally European women were older than any other group. As a proportion of the population under study Africans particularly African women are under represented. The number nature and effects of health problems were studied. The major areas studied were mobility ability to negotiate stairs and handicaps particularly deafness and blindness. African males tended to report more ill health and handicaps at an earlier age than other groups. The residents assessment of their own health tended to be positively over reported particularly by European women as could be expected from studies from other parts of the world. Europeans had better access to good medical facilities. Africans had a greater anxiety about death and dying because they were aware that they were not going to be afforded culturally appropriate burials. The policy implications of the findings are also briefly discussed. Introduction The World Health organisation WHO 1946 defines health as a state of complete physical mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health is identified as a basic need. Other basic needs are inputs in the process which produce good health. African countries have few resources to devote to health care and progress in primary health care has concentrated on maternal and child health and contagious diseases. The problems of an aging population have not been seen as important because the aged are such a small part of the population. However life expectancy has increased and the proportion and Lecturer School of Social Work p Bag 66022 Kopje Harare Zimbabwe. 72 Andrew Nyanguru number of elderly people is growing. Hampson 1985 says

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