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Background: The geriatric population is on a rise in India, which is accompanied by an increase in their health care needs. As they are prone to have multiple diseases simultaneously the tendency for over the counter (OTC) or non-prescription drugs is much higher among the elderly population. A thorough knowledge about the medication practices among elderly is indispensable since the chances for adverse drugs events; drug interactions etc. are higher among them. The primary objective of the present study was to measure the prevalence of over the counter drug usage among those aged 60 years or above residing in a rural block of North Tamilnadu, India. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among those aged 60 years or above using an interviewer administered questionnaire and data was collected from 100 consenting participants who were selected using multi stage sampling. Results: The prevalence of the usage of over the counter drugs among the elderly population was found to be 51% (95% CI 41.1-60.9). It was shown that the usage of OTC drugs was associated with higher socio economic status (p value 0.015) and literacy (p value 0.003). Conclusions: Further studies need to done to identify whether such high prevalence of OTC drug usage among elderly is a reflection of drug practices among general population and if proven otherwise should explore the various reasons for the same so that necessary measures can be implemented to alleviate the situation.

Background: The objectives of the study were to conduct a field survey to measure the prevalence of chronic diseases by taking history, to assess the feasibility of using remote data collection tools in field surveys and to create the map of the survey area using global positioning system (GPS). Methods: A community survey was carried out in two urban municipal wards by trainees with medical sociology back ground among those aged 35 years and above. There were a total of 563 participants from whom history of chronic diseases were collected and from those aged 60 years and above the presence of frailty was assessed using Canadian Study of Health and Ageing (CSHA) Clinical Frailty Scale. The data was collected using a remote data collection application named KoBo Toolbox, downloaded in their smart phones, which was sent directly to the main computer in the Clinical Epidemiological Unit, using mobile data or Wi-Fi hotspots. The co-ordinates of the households were marked using GPS which was also sent through the KoBo Toolbox to the main computer. At the centre the data was converted into excel sheets and various percentages were calculated. Results: In the survey the proportion affected with diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular accidents were 24%, 20.6%, 10.5% and 3.5% respectively. Among the older population 2.2% were found to be severely frail or worse requiring special care. The field map of the area surveyed was also generated using the co-ordinates marked using the GPS enabled phones. Conclusions: The remote data collection tool enabled us to conduct a survey on chronic diseases, effectively, within a limited period of time, creating a map of the area surveyed.

Background: Population is ageing in India. Health care and other needs associated with ageing have risen. The study objectives were to explore the concept of ‘healthy ageing’; health problems of elderly; and felt needs in the care of elderly perceived by the community.Methods: Total of five focus group discussions was conducted. Three Focus group discussions were conducted with family members of homebound elderly and one discussion each were conducted with primary health workers and residents of old age home to supplement the qualitative information gathered from the family members.Results: The participant could make a long list of geriatric health problems. But, their knowledge and attitude towards them was grossly incorrect. All the problems were regarded as part and parcel of ageing for which help was not sought proactively. Mental health problems were regarded as ‘behavioural’ and ‘psychological’ problems. The health problems had its bad effect on family relationships. The perceived healthcare needs were mostly of palliative nature. Day care centres were proposed to improve social interaction of elderly. The community could not afford the level of services which they need. Home care visits by a health team were regarded highly useful.Conclusions: Wide spectrum of barriers to healthcare access of elderly exists in the community. In this regard, a comprehensive community based geriatric health care program including health promotive, preventive, curative and palliative services needs to be formulated with a strong component of health education.