Health and Associated Factors among the Chakhesang Elders

This paper attempts to look at the health of the Chakhesang elders by taking into account the self-perceived health, self-reported morbidity, physical impairments, nature of treatment and healthcare seeking behaviour. The study was conducted among the rural elderly Chakhesang population, a tribal community of Nagaland, India. A total sample of 912 individuals participated in the study with age ranging from 60-101 years. From the study, it was revealed that the elders suffer from multiple health problems. Musculoskeletal problems such as backache (18.6%), joint pain (12.1%) and body pain (12.0%) were most frequently complained by both men and women. Impaired vision was reported by the elders at 57%. Majority of them (61%) turned to allopathic drugs in times of sickness while 31.25% of the elders never sought any kind of treatment. With regard to the health seeking behaviour, majority of the elders (men=40.9% & women=46.6%) visit government health centres in times of sickness. It is felt that health awareness drives and mobile healthcare services would be of immense relief to the elders, especially in these rural areas.