Disability and Risk Factors of Disability among the Thai Older Population
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Date
2010-07-07
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Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Abstract
Abstract: Keywords: Disability, Risk factors, Thai older populationThis research aimed to describe the prevalence of disability and riskfactors of disability in the Thai older population. Data was obtained from the thirdNational Health Examination Survey, conducted by the National Health Foundationand the Ministry of Public Health in 2004. A sample of 19,372 older personsaged 60 years and over was selected for analyses. The results revealed that theprevalence of three types of disabilities: activities of daily living, instrumentalactivities of daily living and incontinence were 5.5%, 56.3%, and 24.8%,respectively. The prevalence of disability was higher among female older personsthan among male older persons. Risk factors of disability were analyzed usingmultiple logistic regression. It was found that the odds ratios of having disabilityincreased with increasing age. The older persons living in rural areas experienced ahigher risk of disability than their urban counterparts. The disability risk was lessfor older persons with high income as compared with those with low income.Older persons with low education had a higher risk of disability than those withhigh education. The risk of experiencing disability was high among older personswith diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or fall experiences. The implication of thisstudy is focusing on disability prevention among vulnerable older population whohave diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The prevention programs of fall should bealso strengthened to reduce disability among older persons. The success of thiseffort will lead to healthy ageing and burden reduction for families and society.
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Ramathibodi Nursing Journal; Vol 15 No. 1 January-April 2009