Are household facilities influencing biomarkers? Evidence from the LASI survey, 2017–18

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Original Article

Author Details : Dharma Raj*, Debrupa Behera, Greeshma C Ravindran, Sindhuprava Rana, Prafulla Kumar Swain

Volume : 11, Issue : 4, Year : 2024

Article Page : 187-196

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jchm.2024.033

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Abstract

Background: In light of India's rapidly ageing population, projected to make up 40% of the population by 2050, this study uses information from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) to examine how Household Environment Condition (HEC) affects the health of older adults. By concentrating on biomarkers, the research seeks to understand how these health indicators are spread across different states and their connections to household facilities. The results are expected to offer detailed viewpoints for policy actions, helping improve living conditions and health for the elderly in India.
Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the access of household facilities of older people from different states in India and to check the association between the available household facilities and biomarkers.
Materials and Methods: This study used data from the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India (LASI), executed in 2017-18 where 24,323 individuals with biomarkers specifically collected from those aged 60 years and above. The analysis, employs various statistical techniques, including descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and hypothesis testing, providing a robust methodology to explore the intricate relationships between biomarkers and household facilities among the elderly population in India.
Results: Significant variations were observed in body mass index, systolic blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, and grip strength between the male and female cohorts. Positive associations were observed between housing and cooking fuel, housing and a separate kitchen, and cooking fuel and a separate kitchen. However, a negative correlation was noted between housing and safe water, suggesting a potential trade-off.
Conclusion: Significant correlations between household amenities and health biomarkers suggest a potential influence of living conditions on health outcomes in the elderly citizens of India. This study highlights diverse demographic and health characteristics, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions addressing educational gaps, economic disparities, and health inequalities among the elderly in India for overall well-being of ageing population.
 

Keywords: Ageing, Biomarker, Household facility

How to cite : Raj D, Behera D, Ravindran G C, Rana S, Swain P K, Are household facilities influencing biomarkers? Evidence from the LASI survey, 2017–18. J Community Health Manag 2024;11(4):187-196

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