Health Problems and Factors Affecting Health Seeking Practices among Elderly Population in Palpa District, Nepal

Introduction: Old age is the time associated with biological, psychological and social changes which lead to vulnerable conditions to acquire physical, psychological and social health problem. This study was conducted to find out the health problem of elderly population and factors that affect the health seeking practices among them. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 people aged over 60 years of Rampur Municipality of Palpa District, Nepal. Convenience sampling technique was used to select the required samples and data was collected by interviewing the elderly at their residence using structured interview schedule. The data gathered was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS software. Results: Majority of the respondent (72.2%) suffered with different health problems such as heart diseases, gout, arthritis and back pain. One third of the respondents (72.8%) were partially dependent with other family members and 68% were suggestive depression. Nearly one fourth (23.2%) respondents had regular health seeking practices. Health seeking practices was found to be statistically significant with age (p=0.002), Income Source (p=0.010), Number of children (p=0.028), Physical Activity (p= 0.013) and Depression Status (0.018). Conclusion: Almost half of elderly has poor health seeking practices due to lack of money, support system and not easy excess of health facility. So, making the free or subsidize cost of health care service for elderly, easy excess of health care facility, health care provider and support system as well as awareness program encourage good health care seeking behavioral practice among elderly.