(P24-054-24) Nutritional Assessment of Elderly People in Dokodza Ward, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional assessment of elderly people in Dokodza ward, Bida, Niger State, Nigeria.

Methods: A valid, pre-tested, well-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. The nutritional status of the respondents was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. 25.0 version of SPSS was used to carry out the statistical analysis.

Results: The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. . A high percentage (73.5%) had no formal education, and 77% were farmers or traders, 45.1% earned less than N10,000 per month. About 56.7% of the respondents were entirely financially dependent, and 69% had a household size above four. 17.7% and 67.3% had severe decreases and moderate decreases in food intake over the past three months, respectively. More than half percent (55.8%) of the respondents had suffered psychological stress or acute disease in the past three months; 36.3% and 45.1% had severe dementia or depression and mild dementia, respectively, while 65.5% had a BMI less than 19. The MNA-SF scores of the respondents indicate that 13.3%, 52.2%, and 34.5% were well nourished, at risk of malnutrition, and malnourished, respectively.

Conclusions: A significant proportion of elderly people are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Therefore, it is crucial to support a diet containing food and liquids with adequate and appropriate nutrition to prevent and treat malnutrition, address nutrition policies, monitor those malnourished or at risk of malnutrition periodically, and social support should be made available to reduce loneliness and depression.

Funding Sources: Morgan State University, Maryland, USA.
Federal Polytechnic Bida and Niger State Polytechnic, Nigeria.