Self-rated Health of Institutionalized Elderly in Kuala Lumpur
Obinna, Francis, Onunkwor *
Department of Community Medicine, International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sami, Abdo Radman Al-Dubai
Saudi Board Community Medicine Program, Ministry of Health, Al-Madina, Saudi Arabia.
John, Arokiasamy
Department of Community Medicine, International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Hassana, Ojonuba, Shuaibu
Department of Community Medicine, International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Philip, Parikial, George
Department of Community Medicine, International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Lwin, Mie, Aye
Department of Community Medicine, International Medical University (IMU), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: There is a growing number of institutionalized elderly in Malaysia. This group of elderly are commonly not included in population based surveys, thus little is known about their health and well-being. This study aims to determine the self-rated health of the elderly living in institutions and the associated factors.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014, in eight elderly institutions in Kuala Lumpur. The institutions were selected randomly, and the participants were selected through stratified proportionate sampling. A total of 203 residents participated in this study. Chi-square test was used for univariate analysis and binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. P value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: The prevalence of poor self-rated health was 39.9%. Factors significantly associated with self-rated health included educational level (OR=2.1, 95%CI=1.18-3.74), physical activity (OR=0.4, 95%CI=0.22-0.81) outdoor leisure activity (OR=0.4, 95%CI= 0.21-0.82), visual impairment (OR=1.9, 95%CI= 1.06-3.52), chronic pain (OR= 2.4, 95%CI=1.35-4.27), diabetes (OR=1.9, 95%CI=1.03-3.49) heart disease (OR=4.2, 95%CI=1.25-13.74), renal failure (OR=11.5, 95%CI= 1.38-94.89), fall (OR=2.9, 95%CI= 1.28-6.48) hospitalization (OR=4.9, 95%CI= 2.43-9.86) co-morbidities (OR=3.2, 95%CI=1.30-761), and satisfaction with access to healthcare (OR=0.3 95%CI= 0.17-0.79).
Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of poor self-rated health among residents in these institutions. Factors significantly associated with self-rated health were mostly co-morbidities. There is need for interventions targeted at improving healthcare services and leisure activities for residents of these institutions.
Keywords: Elderly, Kuala Lumpur, self-rated health, institutionalized, Malaysia