Prevalence of selected chronic diseases, health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of Sri Lanka
Introduction: Sri Lankan demographic transition has shifted the country to a fast-ageing population. Consequently, elderly in labour force will be noteworthy. Ageing increases the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Hence, its prevalence, health seeking behaviour and associated factors need to...
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College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of the College of Community Physicians |
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| Online Access: | https://account.jccpsl.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-jccpsl/article/view/8732 |
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| author | Niluka Gunathilaka Dulani L. Samaranayake Manuj C. Weerasinghe |
| author_facet | Niluka Gunathilaka Dulani L. Samaranayake Manuj C. Weerasinghe |
| author_sort | Niluka Gunathilaka |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction: Sri Lankan demographic transition has shifted the country to a fast-ageing population. Consequently, elderly in labour force will be noteworthy. Ageing increases the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Hence, its prevalence, health seeking behaviour and associated factors need to be sought to improve the health of elderly workforce.
Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic and work-related characteristics of elderly workers, health status, health seeking behaviour and association between the health seeking behaviour and sociodemographic and work-related characteristics in Gampaha District of Sri Lanaka
Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using multistage cluster sampling in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka among 835 elderly workers who met the operational definition and eligibility criteria. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire, covering sociodemographic and occupational details, and information on chronic illnesses and health-seeking behaviour. Bivariate analysis was carried out using Chi--squared test, considering a p-value of 0.05 as statistically significant.
Results: Majority of the workers (78.4%; n=655) were having at least one chronic illness and the occupation of 58% of them was affected by their chronic illness. For acute and chronic illness, 48.1% were taking treatment from private medical centres. The healthcare seeking behaviour for chronic conditions among the elderly was influenced by factors such as educational level, income, marital status, living arrangements, skill level and working patterns.
Conclusions & Recommendations: The findings emphasize the need for policies and interventions that address socio-demographic disparities in healthcare access by promoting family support, insurance schemes, and adopting the health care facility provision according to the workplaces and working patterns.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4b7255b425ef4b99a2b739841d14439b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1391-3174 2579-1451 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the College of Community Physicians |
| spelling | doaj-art-4b7255b425ef4b99a2b739841d14439b2025-01-30T18:57:36ZengCollege of Community Physicians of Sri LankaJournal of the College of Community Physicians1391-31742579-14512025-01-0130410.4038/jccpsl.v30i4.8732Prevalence of selected chronic diseases, health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of Sri LankaNiluka Gunathilaka0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6887-8790Dulani L. Samaranayake1Manuj C. Weerasinghe2Ministry of Health, KurunegalaUniversity of ColomboUniversity of Colombo Introduction: Sri Lankan demographic transition has shifted the country to a fast-ageing population. Consequently, elderly in labour force will be noteworthy. Ageing increases the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Hence, its prevalence, health seeking behaviour and associated factors need to be sought to improve the health of elderly workforce. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic and work-related characteristics of elderly workers, health status, health seeking behaviour and association between the health seeking behaviour and sociodemographic and work-related characteristics in Gampaha District of Sri Lanaka Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using multistage cluster sampling in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka among 835 elderly workers who met the operational definition and eligibility criteria. Data were collected using a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire, covering sociodemographic and occupational details, and information on chronic illnesses and health-seeking behaviour. Bivariate analysis was carried out using Chi--squared test, considering a p-value of 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: Majority of the workers (78.4%; n=655) were having at least one chronic illness and the occupation of 58% of them was affected by their chronic illness. For acute and chronic illness, 48.1% were taking treatment from private medical centres. The healthcare seeking behaviour for chronic conditions among the elderly was influenced by factors such as educational level, income, marital status, living arrangements, skill level and working patterns. Conclusions & Recommendations: The findings emphasize the need for policies and interventions that address socio-demographic disparities in healthcare access by promoting family support, insurance schemes, and adopting the health care facility provision according to the workplaces and working patterns. https://account.jccpsl.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-jccpsl/article/view/8732Elderly workerChronic illnessAcute illnessHealth seeking behaviour |
| spellingShingle | Niluka Gunathilaka Dulani L. Samaranayake Manuj C. Weerasinghe Prevalence of selected chronic diseases, health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of Sri Lanka Journal of the College of Community Physicians Elderly worker Chronic illness Acute illness Health seeking behaviour |
| title | Prevalence of selected chronic diseases, health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of Sri Lanka |
| title_full | Prevalence of selected chronic diseases, health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of Sri Lanka |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of selected chronic diseases, health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of Sri Lanka |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of selected chronic diseases, health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of Sri Lanka |
| title_short | Prevalence of selected chronic diseases, health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of Sri Lanka |
| title_sort | prevalence of selected chronic diseases health seeking behaviour and associated factors among the elderly workers of a selected district of sri lanka |
| topic | Elderly worker Chronic illness Acute illness Health seeking behaviour |
| url | https://account.jccpsl.sljol.info/index.php/sljo-j-jccpsl/article/view/8732 |
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