INFLUENCE OF HEALTH CHALLENGES ON NUTRITIONAL LIFESTYLE OF THE ELDERLY IN RURAL AND URBAN HOUSEHOLDS A CASE STUDY OF SURULERE L.G.A, OYO STATE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Recently, the challenges of health in the elderly have drawn a great deal of attention worldwide, and there are more people devoting
themselves to the field of the elderly. Since the aged have a better and healthier life by participating in leisure activities. The Elderly
comprise a considerable portion of the Nigeria nation population; based upon 2009 data, they represent 7.4% of the total population, and
57.2% of those aged 65 and above (Nigeria Bureau of Statistics 2010). Indeed, it is projected that the proportion of individuals between 65
years of age or older will increase to 11.7% of the Nigerian population by the year 2026 (Nigeria Bureau of Statistics 2010). Moreover, many
aged or elderly people are poor; 21.5% of people 65 years of age or older were considered low income in 2012, as measured by the Nigeria
Bureau of Statistics low-income cut-off (NBS 2010). In fact, older people are more likely than younger people to be poor at each stage of
their lives, as well as being more likely to be ensnared in a lifetime of poverty (Lochhead & Scott, 2012). This general trend of poverty among
the elderly is worrisome, given that income is a major determinant of health (Bolig, Borkowski & Brandenberger, 2009). Thus, given that the
Aged 65 and older will make up an ever greater portion of the Nigerian population in the future, their health and well-being will also be of
increasing importance. Additionally, more than 75% of aged in Nigeria is living in rural areas (Nigeria Bureau of Statistics 2010), and as
shown, these elderly have unique challenges and experiences due to their rural residency. Research establishes that rural residency can
have both a positive and negative effect on health (Gerritsen, Wolensperger & Van Den Heuvel, 2010; Mitura & Bollman, 2012). Notably,
individuals with low income are more prevalent in rural areas, and are associated with poorer health status. Research also suggests that
rural residents receive more community support (indicating a higher level of “social capital”), which may suffer the effects of low-income on
health status (McCulloch, 2011; Pearson, Scott & Roberto, 2012). An enormous proportion of the world’s elderly live in rural areas and show
wide variations in health status. Many, particularly those in the developing countries, are vulnerable to greater socioeconomic and health
marginalization mainly due to inadequate provision of services and economic deprivation. As with the urban elderly, locomotors, visual and
hearing disabilities, as well as life-threatening conditions of coronary heart disease, diabetes and hypertension are common among rural
elders also. Infections continue to take a heavy toll in the lives of the elderly in many parts of the world. The 20th century witnessed in many
regions of the world, increased numbers of the elderly. This was mainly due to the control of perinatal and infant mortality, a decline in birth
rates, improvement in nutrition, basic health care, and the control of many infectious diseases. This combination of factors has resulted in
an increasing number and proportion of persons surviving into the advanced stages of life. The continued increase in the proportion of the
elderly is projected to continue to occur more in the developing countries than their developed counterparts in the future decades. This is
due to the fact that the developing countries are in the second stage of demographic transition, where there is high birth rate and low death
rate compared with the developed countries that are in fourth stage of the demographic transition, where low birth rate balances low death
rate. In Nigeria, the life expectancy has increased from 37 years at independence in 1960 to about 50 years currently. Increase in life
expectancy has been associated with increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, disability dependent life, and utilization of costly health
care services.Similarly, the increasing number of elderly persons poses peculiar health, social, and economic challenges. However, surveys
carried out in Nigeria have been mainly hospital-based, and in major cities and therefore have not provided sufficient information on the
health problems at the community level. In order to develop adequate health care strategies targeted at the needs of the elderly,
information on the pattern of specific acute and chronic health conditions is required. This information would be important for the
development of appropriate primary health care programs for the elderly at the community level.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
In Nigeria, poverty and poor infrastructural development which perpetrated rural and urban communities where most elderly people reside
constraint them from achieving good well- being. Traditionally, the elderly are expected to rely primarily on their families for economic and
emotional support. At times if family support mechanism fails, community help may be available. However, the collapse in family ties and
structure also have negative eect on elders who are used to enjoy supports from extended joint families where traditionally the elders are
respected and properly catered for. Due to the youthful nature of Nigeria age structure, government believes that the health problems that
manifest among children and youths need more attention than that of the elderly. As a result, very little consideration is given to elderly in
Nigeria by both the research community and policymakers. Average household sizes are large and a substantial proportion of older adults
live alone. The economies of the elderly (65 years and above) in Surulere where the current study was conducted are predominantly
supported by subsistence agriculture, which provides little or no pension coverage and limited health care services.
Nigerians age 65 and over are an important and growing segment of Nigeria population, there remains a gap in knowledge. In Nigeria, there
has been limited research on influence of health challenges on nutritional lifestyle of the elderly, especially in rural and urban settings.
AIMS OF THE STUDY
The major purpose of this study is to examine influence of health challenges on nutritional lifestyle of the elderly in rural and urban
households. Other general objectives of the study are:
- To examine the living conditions and food intake of the elderly in rural and urban households in Surulere L.G.A.
- To examine the alcohol consumption patterns in relation to health problems among elderly persons in rural and urban households.
- To examine the influence of health challenges on nutritional lifestyle of the elderly in rural and urban households.
- To assess and compare the nutritional status of elderly people living in rural and urban households in Surulere L.G.A.
- To examine the relationship between health challenges and nutritional lifestyle of the elderly in rural and urban households.
- To examine the risk factors associated with nutritional vulnerability and recommend strategies for promoting better nutrition among
elderly in rural and urban households.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study has the following significance: Owing to the high level of poverty, health challenges and its prevalence in Oyo State, Nigeria and
the world in general, there is a need to study the health challenges associated with Nutritional lifestyle of these elderly people so as to assist
them to understand how to modify their diet. This will improve their health condition and also the development of the community.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study is based on the influence of health challenges on nutritional lifestyle of the elderly in rural and urban households of Surulere
L.G.A of Oyo state.
LIMITATION OF STUDY
Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or
information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on
the time devoted for the research work.
INFLUENCE OF HEALTH CHALLENGES ON NUTRITIONAL LIFESTYLE OF THE ELDERLY IN RURAL AND URBAN HOUSEHOLDS A CASE STUDY OF SURULERE L.G.A, OYO STATE
