Prevalence o f disability and related factors in elderly of Qom City

Considering the upward trend of elderly populations, the prevalence of disabilities will be a major public health problem that affects different aspects of their lives including the individual, social and economic consequences and even the community. The aim of the study was to evaluate the disability and related factors in the elderly aged 60 years and older in Qom.

This cross-sectional study included 166 elderly at the age above 60 years old randomly selected from Qom, Iran through a three-stage sampling. An in-depth interview and the DAS-WHO 2 questionnaire was used to assess disability in the elderly. Multiple linear regression model was used in order to examine associations between disability and independent factors.

It is estimated that 66.9% of the elderly with the disability. The prevalence of severe disability and moderate disability was 4.2% and 16.9%, respectively. The prevalence of falling was estimated 23% during the last month. There were association among disability score with gender (P=0.001, effect size=0.288), age (P=0.001, effect size=0.206), history of pain (P=0.001, effect size=0.376), history of falling (P=0.001, effect size=0.201), education (P=0.035, effect size=-0.129) and job (P=0.001, effect size=-0.366).     

Aging is avoidable, so regarding the upward trend as well as high disability prevalence related to aging, management, and controlling activities are necessary to prevent or reduce it. Increasing financial security, paying attention to women, especially those with low education, will be essential to reducing the age-old injuries.