Abstract

There are limited data available regarding the problem of anemia and malnutrition in the elderly care homes in India. The current study analyzed comprehensive health check-up data of 104 elderly inmates be-longing to five old age homes in Kochi city. Hemoglobin was estimated using HemoCue® Hb 201 System. Anemia status was decided as per WHO guidelines; less than 12 g/dl for women and less than 13 g/dl for men. Among them, 28.3% (13/46) of males and 20.7% (12/58) had Body Mass Index less than 18.5. Mean hemoglobin was 11.28 (SD 1.88, 95% CI 10.95-11.60) ranging from 6.2g/dl to 16.40g/dl. Prevalence of anemia was 73.9% (34/46) among males and 77.6% (45/58) among females (p 0.417). Prevalence of malnutrition and anemia among elderly in old age home at Kochi were high and warrants urgent attention from the side of policy makers, primary health care providers, researchers and civil society.

Key words: Anemia, Elderly, Malnutrition, Old age homes