A Cross-Sectional Study on Morbidity Profile and Unmet Health Needs Among Elderly of Budge-Budge II Block, West Bengal

Abstract

Background: Unmet healthcare need among elderly is the want for essential healthcare which is not fulfilled. Health needs of the elderly often go unrecognized. Functional limitation is one of the contributors in this unmet health need. The situation is worse in rural areas due to lack of awareness and lower socio-economic status. The study aimed to estimate the burden of unmet health needs among the elderly of Budge-Budge II block in West Bengal, to assess their morbidity pattern and to evaluate the predictors of this unmet health need. Materials and Methods: A community-based descriptive study, cross-sectional in design was conducted for a period of 3 months in selected villages of Budge-Budge II block, West Bengal. Data on unmet need were collected by face-to-face interview of 396 participants selected by simple random sampling using EASYCare standard (2010) questionnaire. Results: The most prevalent unmet health need was for preventive care (87.37%), followed by mental health and wellbeing (84.09%). Hypertension was the most common morbidity (52.02%) reported among the study population. Belonging to the age group of 60-69 years had a lower odds of experiencing unmet health needs, whereas being a homemaker or engagement in agricultural work had higher odds of facing unmet health needs among the study participants. Conclusions: The unmet health need of the elderly is a major public health problem that is influenced by age, marital status, and nature of work.

Keywords

• access to care
• aged
• morbidity
• rural population