Key finding of Preliminary Results

Asya AL-Riyami, Ph.D

• objectives:

To study the elderly health profile in The Sultanate of Oman in order to plan an intervention for different alternatives (options) of elderly care.

To determine Socioeconomic determinants of elderly health problems.

To identify elderly health problems and their utilization patterns of health services.

Study Design

• This is a cross-sectional study household or community (Survey) for Omani population aged 60 years and above.

•A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling was designed. The sample have been withdrawn from a list of census of EA (Clusters) according to the WHO approved procedure.

• All study participants were subjected to a household face- to- face structured interview and the response rate was 99.4%.

• The interviewed elderly were then subjected blood investigations and measurements .

Research Tools

I Questionnaires

A. Household Questionnaire

Household Roster (Follow-up)HousingHousehold and Family Support Networks and TransfersAssets and Household IncomeHousehold ExpenditureInterviewer Observations - HHQ

B. Individual Questionnaire

Individual RespondentSocio-Demographic CharacteristicsWork History and BenefitsHealth State DescriptionsAnthropometrics, Performance Tests and BiomarkersRisk Factors and Preventive Health BehaviorsChronic Conditions and Health Services CoverageHealth Care UtilizationSocial CohesionSubjective Well-Being and Quality of LifeImpact of Care givingInterviewer Assessment

II Anthropometric, Performance tests and Biomarkers :

•Blood test: fasting glucose, lipids, Hg, Hg A1C•Blood Pressure

•Weight, Height to calculate BMI •Waist and Hip Circumference to calculate WH/ratio (for central obesity).•Timed walk: Normal walk, Rapid walk.•Vision test: Distant vision, Near vision.•Grip strength by using dynamometer.•Verbal recall (memory) •-Digit span & Digit forward• Digit span & Digit backward•Delayed verbal recall•Verbal fluency•-Lung function tests: FVC,PEV1, FEF, PEV1%, FEF25-75 and FET

TotalFemaleMalePlace of residence

70.168.469.3Urban

29.931.630.7RuralAge group

29.53230.760-64

17.525.225.965-69

17.591170-74

12.891175-79

9.99.59.780-84

3.75.14.485+

Living arrangement

4.88.96.8Living alone

3812.325.7Nuclear family

56.978.767.3Extended family

0.30.10.2Composite familyEconomic states

23.230.826.8Poor

23.619.621.7Lower middle

25.925.926.6Upper middle

70.123.724.9Rich

The survey findings revealed that elderly in Oman have socioeconomic and health problem need to be addressed.

The findings of the survey provide a good evidence to the planners for programming and to formulate their policies.

Special elderly program to be developed to address main elderly health problems.