Dataset Information

Older adults with pre-existing noncommunicable conditions and their healthcare access amid COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in eastern Nepal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

COVID-19 has greatly impacted older adults with pre-existing noncommunicable conditions (hereafter called pre-existing conditions) in terms of their access to essential healthcare services. Based on the theory of vertical health equity, this study investigated access to healthcare by Nepali older adults with pre-existing conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional study surveyed 847 randomly selected older adults (≥60 years) in three districts of eastern Nepal. Survey questionnaires, administered by trained community health workers, collected information on participants reported difficulty obtaining routine care and medications during the pandemic, in addition to questions on demographics, socioeconomic factors and pre-existing conditions. Cumulative scores for pre-existing conditions were recoded as no pre-existing condition, single condition and multimorbidity for the analyses. χ² tests and binary logistic regressions determined inferences.

Results

Nearly two-thirds of the participants had a pre-existing condition (43.8% single condition and 22.8% multimorbid) and reported experiencing difficulty obtaining routine care (52.8%) and medications (13.5%). Participants with single (OR 3.06, 95% CI 2.17 to 4.32) and multimorbid (OR 5.62, 95% CI 3.63 to 8.71) conditions had threefold and fivefold increased odds of experiencing difficulty accessing routine care. Findings were similar for difficulty obtaining medication (OR single: 3.12, 95% CI 1.71 to 5.69; OR multimorbid: 3.98, 95% CI 2.01 to 7.87) where odds were greater than threefolds.

Conclusions

Older adults with pre-existing conditions in Nepal, who require routine medical care and medication, faced significant difficulties obtaining them during the pandemic, which may lead to deterioration in their pre-existing conditions. Public health emergency preparedness should incorporate plans for both managing the emergency and providing continuing care.

SUBMITTER: Ghimire S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8814747 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Older adults with pre-existing noncommunicable conditions and their healthcare access amid COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in eastern Nepal.

Ghimire Saruna S Shrestha Aman A Yadav Uday Narayan UN Mistry Sabuj Kanti SK Chapadia Bunsi B Yadav Om Prakash OP Ali Arm Mehrab AM Rawal Lal B LB Yadav Priyanka P Mehata Suresh S Harris Mark M

BMJ open 20220203 2

<h4>Background</h4>COVID-19 has greatly impacted older adults with pre-existing noncommunicable conditions (hereafter called pre-existing conditions) in terms of their access to essential healthcare services. Based on the theory of vertical health equity, this study investigated access to healthcare by Nepali older adults with pre-existing conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional study surveyed 847 randomly selected older adults (≥60 years) in three districts of ...[more]

PMID: 35115356

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Dataset Information

Older adults with pre-existing noncommunicable conditions and their healthcare access amid COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in eastern Nepal.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Older adults with pre-existing noncommunicable conditions and their healthcare access amid COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in eastern Nepal.

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