Prevalence and determinants of geriatric malnutrition among rural populations: A Community based cross-sectional Study in Eastern India

Background: The World’s population is aging due to simultaneous declining of birth as well as death rate leading to the phenomenon of demographic burden. The dependent population compounded by their chronic morbidities have little resources left to maintain a healthy nutrition, culminating in another morbidity i.e., geriatric malnutrition, which is grossly un-diagnosed and un-reported. A commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals means a commitment to Healthy Ageing, hence WHO had declared the next decade (2020-2030) as the “Decade on Healthy Ageing”.  Thereby, the present study aims to find the prevalence and correlates of elderly malnutrition in the index population. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 180 geriatric individuals of Bankura district of West Bengal using 30 cluster sampling design. Data on nutritional status were collected using MNA-SF questionnaire and correlates were assessed by a pre-designed pre-tested schedule Multivariable logistic regression was done to ascertain the factors influencing elderly malnutrition. Results: Prevalence of geriatric malnutrition was 32.2% and risk of malnutrition was 48.89%. Presence of chronic diseases, poor socio-economic status, polypharmacy, food insecurity, catastrophic health expenditure and absence of social insurance were found to be significantly associated with geriatric malnutrition Conclusion: Geriatric malnutrition was found to be considerably high in the study population. The complex interplay of multiple factors was found to culminate it, upon which socio-economic and health care affordability issues were prominent. A multi-disciplinary approach focusing on social security, improved health care delivery with Patient Oriented Evidence that Matters (POEM) approach may help in mitigating the issue