Dr Eme T. Owoaje, Department of Community Medicine College of Medicine, University of Ibadan/ University College Hospital, Ibadan

 Increasing numbers of older persons in Nigeria has implications on their care and support.  The health problems, disability status of the elderly as well as their existing care and support systems were assessed in a descriptive cross-sectional study.

STUDY AREA  Iseyin and Kajola Local Government Areas of Oyo tate; located in the Oke-ogun area of Oyo state; in the Oyo North Senatorial district.  Study population were those aged 60 years and above in selected households in Ilua community of Kajola L.G.A and Isalu (wards seven and eight) of Iseyin town.

Senatorial Districts &LGAs of Oyo State

 Semi-structured questionnaire which consisted of five sections:  Socio-demographic characteristics  Social, family and living status  Reported health problems  Disability assessment  Physical examination findings

 Work limitation- limitation in the kind or amount of work the respondents can do because of a health problem or impairment  Learning difficulty- problem in remembering, concentrating or learning because of a health problem or impairment.  Use of aid- use of special aid or help to get around because of a health problem or impairment.  Activity limitation- limitation in any way in any activities because of a health problem or disability

Age (years) ≥90 265(42.1) 241(38.3) 93(14.8) 31(4.9) Sex Male Female 245(38.9) 385(61.1) Marital Status Single Married Separated Divorced Widow/Widower 21(3.3) 397(63.0) 3(0.5) 10(1.6) 199(31.6)

Living alone Yes No 47(7.5) 583(92.5) With whom living Extended family Children Spouse Neighbours 300(49.1) 236( (11.5) 5(0.8) Assistance at home Yes No 441(70.0) 189(30.0)

 Forty six per cent sought for care for at least one health problem in the three-month period prior to the study.  The commonest health problems were: malaria; musculoskeletal disorders; hypertension; respiratory and neurological disorders.  A third of the respondents had disabilities, which affected their activities of daily living.

 Commonest ADL-IADL disabilities were going to farm or some other places of work (19%), doing everyday household chores(18%) and walking outside the house (17%).  Health problems associated with limitation of activities of the elderly in both arthritis, visual problems and hypertension.  A third of the respondents had disabilities, which affected their activities of daily living.

 Majority of these elderly persons were active  The presence of existing health problems and disabilities has implications on the burden of caregivers.  Family members are still the primary source of care for the elderly in these communities.  Alternatives of formal health care for the elderly need to be considered