Abstract:
The transitions from high to low levels of both mortality and
fertility rates, migration and war have induced a significant increase of the
proportion of elders in Sri Lanka. Clear understanding of risk and protective
factors of health and well being of elders is of utmost importance to make
effective public health strategies to combat the adverse consequences of
aging in the country. A community survey on a sample of 434 elders was
conducted in a southern district to identify factors associated with health
and well-being of the aged. The sample consisted of 242 (54.6%) men. The
mean age was 70.8 years (SD=8.2). About 36 of the respondents had only
primary level education or no formal education. Half of the respondents were
in the poor income category. Over all, the proportion of widows among the
elderly is higher than that of widowers. Diabetes (20%), hypertension (32%),
arthritis (52%), Asthma (18%), visual defects (63%) and memory loss (30%)
were the most prevalent physical and psychological illnesses reported by the
respondents. Elders face difficulties in obtaining health care and other public
services available in the country. Elders in urban areas were more vulnerable
than their rural counterparts to experience economical hardships. About
64% of elderly men living in rural areas and about 55% of elderly men living
in urban areas were current alcohol users. About 25% of elderly men living in
urban and about 23% of elderly men living in rural areas were current
smokers. The majority of elders (about 90%) were physically active. About
80% of the respondents reported having had good social support. Aging has
become a serious public health issue in Sri Lanka. Promotion of healthy life
style behaviors, upgrading and expanding geriatric health care services in the
country, searching avenues to establish a social security system for the
elderly and taking necessary actions to maintain and to enhance the existing
social support system available for elders would assist the elderly in Sri
Lanka to age successfully.
