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Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences | Volume-3 | Issue-01
Physical and Psychiatry Diseases of Aged People in Malaysia: An Evaluation in Ampang, Selangor, Malaysia
Osman Chuah Abdullah
Published: March 27, 2015 |
146
107
DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i01.035
Pages: 159-166
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Abstract
Ageing is now not only a problem in developed countries but also in developing countries. Malaysia is no
exception to this. The main objective of this paper is to identify the physical and mental and phychiatry problems of
aged people in Malaysia and the demographic factors associated with those living in Ampang, an urban area near Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. A random survey of every fifth member of the aged community above 69 years old were selected for
sample survey from Ampang Public Hospital and an old folks’ home. The samples selected were interviewed using a pretested structured questionnaire which included the GDS-30, ECAQ and Barthel Index. Out of 300 elderly residents
approached (not more than 7% of the total population), 240 agreed to participate in the study, giving a response rate of
80%. The mean age of the respondents was 70 years old +7 years with a median of 70 years. The chronic illness and
functional dependence of the surveyed aged people in Ampang were 60% and 16%, respectively. Depression is
associated with problems of no income, not enough income or unemployment (p<0.05) whereas cognitive impairment
was significantly associated with age, gender, ethnicity, married status and level of education (p<0.05).