Abstract
As part of the National Health Examination Survey III, the objectives of
this study were to determine the health problems of Thai elderly in 4 dimensions; self-reported health status, prevalence of behavioral risks, biological risks
and examine an awareness, treatment and control of the leading chronic
diseases.
The samples of 19,372 respondents aged 60 years and over were drawn
from those included in the multi-staged sample national survey during JanuaryAugust 2004. Methods of data collection were interview, physical examination
and laboratory findings. Descriptive analysis was used to estimate the size of the
conditions and prevalence at the national level, base on standard criteria for diagnosis of chronic diseases and levels of their effective control.
With regard to behavioral risks, prevalence of cigarette smokers decreased
with ages, the rate among males was nine times over that of females. Alcohol
drinking decreased in a small proportion. Insufficient physical activities as well
as fruit and vegetables intakes based on standard criteria were observed at high
rates (80-90percent), increased with advanced ages and the oldest females were
the worst. For biological health risks, anemia and underweight appeared to increase with advanced ages and lower proportion of obese elderly respondents
with advanced age was observed. Selected chronic diseases were hypertension,
hypercholesterolemia and Diabetes Mellitus, of which known as high risks associated with major cardiovascular events for example, stroke, ischemic heart, and
long- termed diabetic consequences.Age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension
were at 51.6 percent, diabetes 14.8 percent and high cholesterol 25.4 percent. While
overall proportion of unawareness of those chronic diseases were reported to be
56.8 percent for hypertension, 41.2 for diabetes and 81.5 percent for high cholesterol. The proportions of those treated and control of blood pressure, blood sugar
and blood cholesterol were12.4, 26.4 and 10.3 percent respectively. Women were
found to be more aware of their illnesses, received treatment with effective control than their men counterparts. An ineffective control group was observed
among the oldest - 80 years and over- of both genders.
In conclusion, there were high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes
in the Thai elderly with high percentage of unawareness and inadequate control
of those treated.Screening program for early detection was essential. Treatments
of these diseases to maintain adequate control should be improved
