Assessment of Quality Care of Elderly in Igando Ikotun Lcda of Lagos State, Nigeria

Purpose:

The purpose of this presentation is to assess quality of care received by the elderly in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

Methods:

A simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the respondent, thus giving all the eligible elders an equal chance of being part of the study. The formula n/ (1+n/N) was used to calculate the sample size, where n = population of the elderly in the Igando Ikotun LCDA, N = population of elderly in Alimosho Local Government Area, i.e. 175/(1+175/3850) = 120. respondents. Permission to conduct the study among the elderly were obtained from the Lagos State Health Research and Ethic committee. Individual consents was granted by each respondent before the questionnaires were given to them.

Results:

The result revealed that the respondents have a poor knowledge of quality care.  Only 17(50%) of the men and 35(41.2%) of the female had good knowledge of quality care for the elderly. However findings shows a good practice of quality care for the elderly as 25(73%) of the men and 36(42.4%) of the female indicated receiving quality care from their care givers. In addition 30(88.2%) of the men and 68(80 %) of the female respondent had a positive attitude toward quality care, but were not satisfied with the care they received from care givers. They admitted the care givers believe that they were old and about to die and should not be given adequate care.   

According to Adebowale, Atte and Ayeni. (2012) globally, the population of elderly is increasing and their well-being is becoming a public health concern. In Nigeria, poverty is widespread and elderly persons are at higher risk.

In Nigeria especially in Akwa Ibom State, the findings from a study of 300 elderly men and women by Akpan and Umobong (2013), made them to conclude that there is a high prevalence of elderly abuse.

Similarly, Asogwa and Igbokwe (2010) found a low prevalence of physical abuse (7.8%) in their Enugu State study but reported a moderate prevalence of inadequate food. However, there was high prevalence of denial of freedom of interaction (88%) and verbal abuse (73%) such as “Agadi” and “Usebo”(worthless and Witch/Wizard). They attribute the low incidence of physical abuse to the fear of attracting curses because it is a taboo to hit an elderly person.

Conclusion:

The weakening of the family institution that takes care of the elderly in Africa as a whole and Nigeria in particular should be revived. The elders should be educated on their rights and the content of quality care they should receive from care givers.