Community Health Services for Geriatrics and Widows South–South Nigeria | Chapter 04 | Emerging Trends in Disease and Health Research Vol. 2

 

Geriatrics and widows are underserved in today's culture. Geriatrics are viewed as unproductive age ranges. Widows, on the other hand, have traditionally been humiliated by their husbands' family and community. They are dealing with a variety of issues that are obstructing their desire to seek medical help.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the burden of ENT and medical diseases in Geriatrics and Widows by identifying common ENT and medical conditions.

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of ear disorders among geriatrics at the Dagomo Foundation Home for the Elderly.

To determine the prevalence of ear disorders among widows in the Ubiaja community.

The purpose of this study was to determine the medical problems of widows in the Ubiaja community.

Methods: From September 2017 through April 2018, this study was a 7-month prospective study. Dagomo foundation home for the elderly in Benin City and St. Benedict Catholic Church, Ubiaja in Edo central were the study centres. The approach of total population sampling was used. The sample size was made up of all the elderly and widows who agreed to participate in the study. A health talk was provided, as well as a history taker, an Ear, Nose, and Throat examination, and a comprehensive body examination. The illness load that was discovered was recorded. Those who needed more review and management were forwarded to the appropriate people. SPSS Version 20 was used to perform statistical analysis on the data. Statistical significance was defined as a P value of less than 0.05.

The study included 50 geriatrics and 67 widows. For Geriatrics and widows, the age range was 60 – 90 years (mean age of 69.507.78 years) and 36 – 85 years (mean age of 59.619.36). There were 13 males and 37 females among the geriatrics, with 67 widows. Geriatrics had seventeen (17) different ENT disorders discovered, whereas widows had seven (7) ENT conditions and twelve (12) medical conditions recognised. In Geriatrics, the most common ENT illnesses were Otitis Media with Effusion (34.9%), Left Cerumen Auris (20.9%), and Otomycosis (20.9%). In widows, Right Cerumen Auris predominated (65.6%), followed by Left Cerumen Auris (50.0%), and Otitis Externa (10%). (28.1 percent ). The most
frequent medical problem among widows was osteoarthritis (90.6 percent). There were no statistically significant tests of connection.

Conclusion: Geriatrics and widows bear a considerable burden of Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) and medical illnesses.

Recommendations: To improve the quality of life of geriatrics and widows, the government should plan specialised healthcare measures.

The government should ensure that an educational policy is in place to establish age-appropriate training protocols for children and young adults on ageing issues.

Author(S) Details

I. O. Akpalaba
University of Medical Sciences, (UNIMED), Ondo State, Nigeria.

F. F. Blackie
Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, (ISTH), Edo State, Nigeria.

R. U. E. Akpalaba
University of Benin, (UNIBEN), Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

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