GERIATRIC HEALTH STATUS OF THE NOCTE NAGAS LIVING IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Ageing is a natural and inevitable, time-related
deterioration in an individual’s physical and mental health. With
age, an individual experiences various health problems. Therefore,
this study aims to study the health status of the elderly Nocte tribal
population of Arunachal Pradesh, India. This cross-sectional study
involves 120 elderly subjects aged 60 years and above of both
sexes. Anthropometric measurements (Height, Weight, Body
Mass Index, Waist-Hip Ratio) and physiological measurements
(BP, PR, RBSL, SpO2) were taken to assess the health status
of the participants. Socio-demographic and morbidity status
data were also collected. Of the total participants in the study,
19.17% reported having a yearly health check-up, 12.50% were
underweight, and 29.16% were overweight. A high percentage
of WHR was observed among 31.67% of participants, and it is
lower in males (13.79%) than in females (48.39%). The majority
(96.77%) reported experiencing some form of health problems
during the interview. The most common health problems among
them are musculoskeletal problems (83.33%), followed by eye
problems (75.83%), Hypertension (64.17%), adhering problems
(35.83%).