Health Status and Its Relation to Behaviors, Symptoms and Housing Environments of Elderly Persons in Warrens of Central Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Introduction: The rising number of older persons in Asia has accentuated the importance of strengthening the social protection system in the region. Recent financial crises highlighted concerns that governments have inadequate resources to assume major responsibility for elderly care. The financial support for the elderly is likely to become a more serious problem and divisive social issue. The aim of the study: To study the health status and its relation to behaviors, symptoms and housing environment of elderly persons in the warrens of central Bangkok, Thailand. Methods: The cross-sectional study (of 434 elderly personals in five warrens) was conducted by interviewing the subjects on their behaviors, health status (latest symptoms in the last 1 month) and housing environments, Results: This study showed that most of elderly persons had moderate health with 74.7% congenital disease of 67.9% hypertension, 36.1% diabetes and 24.1% high-cholesterol, respectively. The symptoms observed in the last 1 month were non-specific symptoms (63.5%), respiratory symptoms (14.1%) and skin irritation (4.4%). The health status of participant-elders was related to exercise (p<0.001), non-specific symptoms of fatigue (p<0.05) and moody (p<0.05), respiratory symptoms of cold (p<0.05) and throat irritation (p<0.05). In addition, health status showed relation to environment of cooking in house (p=0.01), using mosquito repellent and insecticide (p<0.05) and using air condition (p<0.01). Conclusion: The health status of elderly persons was significantly related to their behavior (of exercise), symptoms (respiratory and non-specific symptoms), and environmental conditions. The ministry of health should encourage the improving on education in health care and annual physical examination promotion for elderly persons.