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Context: With the ageing of Indian society, providing a healthy life among older people is a public health precedence. Therefore, beforehand discovery and possible forestalment of frailty may help promote healthy ageing and dwindle the social, mental and financial burden of their families and caregivers. Aims: The study aimed to assess the proportion of frailty and its associated factors among the elderly aged 65 years and above in a rural community of West Bengal. Settings and Design: A community‑based cross‑sectional study was conducted among 270 elderlies selected from 15 villages out of a total 64 villages of Singur under the Hooghly District of West Bengal from January 2019 to February 2020. Materials and Methods: Cluster sampling technique was used. Data was collected using a pre‑designed, pre‑tested structured schedule including Fried frailty phenotype (FFP), geriatric depression scale short form (GDS 15) and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) tool. Statistical Analysis Used: Associated factors of frailty were assessed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression using SPSS version 16 software and MS Excel 2019. Results: The proportion of frailty was observed to be 23.7% and that of prefrailty 40.7%. Frailty was significantly associated with increasing age [AOR(CI) 1.2(1.1‑1.3)], decreasing years of schooling [AOR(CI) 1.3(1.1‑1.5)], loss of spouse [AOR(CI) 4.2(1.2‑15.2)], financial dependency [AOR(CI) 19.3(2.7‑139.0)], staying at home [AOR(CI) 16.3(2.7‑98.2)], presence of anaemia [AOR(CI) 3.6(1.3‑9.5)], at risk of malnutrition [AOR(CI) 6.5(1.9‑22.3)], increasing number of falls in the last 1 year [AOR(CI) 4.3(1.2‑15.6)], presence of 3 or more chronic diseases [AOR(CI) 154.7(12.1‑1981.9)] and depression [AOR(CI) 8.3(2.5‑27.0)]. Conclusion: The burden of frailty among the study population is relatively high. It’s an intimidating situation that needs bettered screening provisions for early discovery with special stress on nutritive upliftment. Screening for depression should also be done regularly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The high prevalence among elderly individuals and potential adverse impact on their overall life quality make chronic musculoskeletal pain a significant public health concern. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is an important cause of self-medication, which must be addressed to avoid various side effects and improve elderly health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain and its associated factors among individuals (age ≥60 years) in rural West Bengal and explore their perspectives and perceived barriers regarding pain and its management. Methods: This mixed-method study was conducted in rural West Bengal from December 2021 to June 2022. The quantitative strand was conducted by interviewing 255 elderly participants (age ≥60 years) using a structured questionnaire. The qualitative strand was conducted via in-depth interviews of 10 patients with chronic pain. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, and chronic pain-related factors were analyzed using logistic regression models. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results: Among the participants, 56.8% reported chronic musculoskeletal pain. The most frequently affected site was the knee joint. Comorbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=7.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.2–17.5), age (aOR=5.16, 95% CI=2.2–13.5), depression (aOR=2.96, 95% CI=1.2–6.7) and over-the-counter drug usage (aOR=2.51, 95% CI=1.1–6.4) were significantly associated with chronic pain. Analgesic dependency, lack of motivation to adopt lifestyle modifications, lack of knowledge on analgesic side effects were considered pain management barriers. Conclusion: Managing comorbidities, providing mental support, generating awareness of analgesic side effects, strengthening healthcare facilities should be prioritized for holistic chronic musculoskeletal pain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A comprehensive understanding of the requirements of elderly is necessary to preserve their "functional capacity", an important indicator of their health status. This study aimed to assess the functional status of the elderly and their rehabilitation needs. Materials and Methods: A mixed-method study was conducted from November 2021 to June 2022 at a health centre in Chetla, West Bengal, India. Quantitative data, collected from 172 elderly persons using a pretested questionnaire, were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Qualitative data, collected via focus group discussions, were analyzed thematically. Results: Overall, 11.62% and 66.86% participants were functionally dependent in one or more activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), respectively. Significant association of age ≥70 years (AOR = 4.06, 95% CI= 1.13-14.63), male gender (AOR= 5.21, 95% CI= 1.57-17.28) and assistive device use (AOR= 6.92, 95% CI= 1.85-25.83) was found with ADL limitations. Increasing age (AOR= 1.29, 95% CI= 1.13-1.50), female gender (AOR= 13.97, 95%CI= 3.61-54.00), residence in joint family (AOR= 3.95, 95%CI=1.47-10.61), without spouse (AOR= 3.59, 95% CI= 1.12-11.44) and daily intake of multiple medications (AOR= 4.99, 95%CI= 1.45- 17.13) were factors significantly associated with IADL limitations. Major identified needs of the elderly were related to development of peer support groups, transportation systems and delivery of services from the health system. Conclusion: Rehabilitative services like providing assistive devices to the needy, developing elderly support groups, undertaking household visits for bedridden and those with restricted mobility, and building supportive environments within families and communities should be ensured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: With the aging of Indian society, maintaining salubrious cognitive health in late life is a public health priority. Early detection and possible prevention of cognitive impairment (CI), thus, will help in increasing the quality of life of elderly people and decreasing the social, psychological, and economic burden of their families and caregivers. Aims: The study aimed to assess proportion of CI and its predictors. Settings and Design: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 135 elderly people selected from 15 villages out of a total 64 villages in rural field practice area Singur of AIIH&PH, Kolkata. Methods and Material: Cluster sampling technique was used and villages were selected according to probability proportional to size method. Data was collected using a predesigned, pretested structured schedule, which included sociodemographic and behavioral variables, Montreal cognitive assessment tool, Geriatric depression scale short form (GDS 15), and mini nutritional assessment tool. Statistical Analysis Used: Predictors of CI were assessed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression using MS-Excel 2016 and SPSS version 16 software. Results: Mean age of the study participants was 67.03 ± 6.7 years with 51.9% of them being females. Proportion of CI was observed to be 48.1% which was significantly associated with increasing age [AOR = 1.1 (1.02–1.13)], decreasing years of schooling [AOR = 1.1 (1.01–1.2)], depression [AOR = 2.7 (1.3–5.8)], and malnourished group [AOR = 4.5 (1.01–20.3)] Conclusion: The burden of CI among the study population was found to be quite high. It is an alarming situation which needs improved screening facility for early detection. Nutritional upliftment and screening for depression should also be done on a regular basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Population across the globe are aging rapidly due to demographic transition. More than 50% of the elderly in India suffer from one or more chronic diseases and psychological distress is one of the most common morbidities among them. Aims and Objective: This study was conducted with the objective to assess the status of psychological distress among the elderly. Settings and Design: Acommunity based, cross-sectional study among 347 elderly aged 60 years and above. Methods and Materials: This study was done in 30 villages (clusters) in Singur block of West Bengal. A predesigned and pretested schedule was used to collect data. Statistical Analysis: Data were analysed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The mean (± SD) age of the elderly was 67.67 (± 7.15) years, majority (67.4%) were in the 60–69 years age group. Most (62.8%) of the elderly were suffering from psychological distress which is significantly associated with below primary education level [AOR (95% CI)] = [25.09 (11.88-52.96)], living without spouse and child [AOR (95% CI) =7.88 (3.90-15.89)], financial dependence [AOR (95% CI) =20.23 (7.58-54.00)], dependent functional activity (assessed by ADL) [AOR (95% CI) =3.84 (1.25-11.76)], and decision for healthcare taken by others [AOR (95% CI)] = [3.84 (1.25-11.76)]. Conclusions: Alarmingly, the proportion of psychological distress was found to be high among the elderly of this rural area. Therefore, all steps must be taken with special focus on the mental health of the old people so that they may continue to contribute to the upliftment of the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: "Frailty" is a multidimensional geriatric syndrome that increases the risk for adverse health outcomes, such as falls, hospitalization, increased morbidity, and mortality, among elderly persons. Aim: The objective of this study is to find out the proportion of frailty and its associates among elderly (aged ≥60 years) in a rural area of West Bengal. Settings and Design: It is a community-based cross-sectional observational study done during May–August 2018 among 165 elderly persons selected by systematic random sampling by probability proportionate to size method from three villages at the rural field practice area of our institute. Materials and Methods: Tilburg frailty indicator is used to measure frailty. An elderly is considered as frail if s/he scores ≥6 in this scale. Statistical Analysis: Data analysis is done by SPSS Version 16. The logistic regression is done to find out the associates of frailty. Results: Proportion of frailty is 38.8% (mean age ± SD: 67.03 ± 3.43 years) among the study subjects. Age, female gender, loss of spouse, illiteracy, economic dependency, no job/at home status, ≥2 chronic diseases are significantly associated with frailty in univariate logistic regression. In multivariable logistic regression, ≥2 chronic diseases [AOR: 8.4, CI: 4.6, 11.33] and illiteracy [AOR: 3.3, CI: 1.05, 9.8] retain their significance. Conclusion: Frailty should be recognized as a public health priority and awareness generation among elderly population for healthy ageing including self-motivation for proper management of their ailments should be emphasized for reduction of morbidity as well as for augmenting their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The quality of life (QOL) among the elderly is a neglected issue, especially in developing countries, including India. This study aims to assess the QOL and its associated factors among the elderly population residing in villages of Singur, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 146 elderly participants (aged 60 years and above) selected using simple random sampling from Singur block from April to June 2017. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported comorbidities and QOL assessment was done using the validated Bengali version of EQ-5D-3L (EuroQol) questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS version 16.0. Categorization of good and poor QOL was based on the median score. Results: Of 146 participants, 54.1% of the participants were found to have poor QOL. The mean (standard deviation) age of the study participants was 68 (5.87) years and 59% of the respondents were female. Most of the study participants (76.7%) had reported comorbidities. Higher percentage of participants reported problems in the dimensions of pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression in both the 60–69 and >69 age groups. In multivariable logistic regression, increasing age, financial dependence, and the presence of one or more comorbidities were significantly associated with poor QOL after adjusting with the other variables. Conclusion: The findings suggest the need for effective health promotion strategies with an emphasis on the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Provision for geriatric care with counseling and social assistance such as old age pension will further help improve their QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]