OLD AGE HOMES: ARE THEY ACCEPTABLE TO PAKISTANI GERIATRIC POPULATION? RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF ELDERLY OUTPATIENTS VISITING TEACHING HOSPITALS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Old age homes

Authors

  • Waris Qidwai Professor and Chairman, Family Medicine Department, Aga Khan University Karachi Pakistan
  • Imdad Ali Khushk Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) - Islamabad
  • Fizzah Farooq Medical College Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan
  • Muhammad Yusuf Hafiz Medical College Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan
  • Kashmira Nanji Family Medicine Department, Aga Khan University Karachi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32413/pjph.v8i2.61

Keywords:

Elderly, old age homes, pakistan

Abstract

Background: Worldwide, some one million people pass the sixty year old threshold every month (Ageing, WHO). Between 2010 and 2050, the number of older people in less developed countries is projected to increase.
Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in Outpatient clinics (OPD) of two hospitals in Karachi from April to May 2013. Elderly (> 60 years of age) visiting the clinics were consecutively recruited. 477 elderly were approached and a pretested, structured questionnaire was used to obtain information. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19 and Pearson chi-square test was used to identify the factors related to choosing of "Old Age Homes".
Results: A total of 400 participants were selected. Fifty-five percent of the elderly were in between 60 to 65 years of age and majority was males 54.8 percent. Elderly were aware of the presence of "Old Age Homes" in Pakistan, however only 7 percent choose to live in there. The main reason was found to be that the elderly did not want to go away from their families and loved ones.
Conclusion: In conclusion, majority of the participants felt insecure to live in a home with strangers. However, "Old Age Homes" were preferred choice for those with chronic diseases or those living alone. Media should initiate public education programs to reduce social stigmas in seeking alternate long-term care services outside of the family.

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Published

05-08-2018

How to Cite

1.
Qidwai W, Ali Khushk I, Farooq F, Hafiz MY, Nanji K. OLD AGE HOMES: ARE THEY ACCEPTABLE TO PAKISTANI GERIATRIC POPULATION? RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF ELDERLY OUTPATIENTS VISITING TEACHING HOSPITALS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN: Old age homes. Pak J Public Health [Internet]. 2018 Aug. 5 [cited 2024 Dec. 11];8(2):107-11. Available from: https://www.pjph.org/pjph/article/view/61