Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Community Health Nursing

Malnutrition is a significant problem among elderly across the continuum of care and results in undesirable consequences. Many factors have been associated with malnutrition in elderly, such as older age, low income, low educational level, social isolation.This study aims to assess risk factors of malnutrition among elderly in geriatric homes. The study was carried out using a descriptive co-relational design at ten governmental geriatric homes. Sample: A total of 189 elderly clients representing the total population residing those homes was selected. Data were collected using three tools; the first tool is an interviewing schedule including questions related to personal data, health profile, and previous occupation, and medical diagnosis, current and previous medical history. The second tool is nutritional assessment tool for elderly that was developed by the investigators include four parts, the first part is a self reported questions about risk factors of malnutrition ,the second part is history of dietary intake ,the third part is clinical observation of malnutrition, the fourth part is physical environment observation and the third tool is Mini- Nutritional Assessment Scale .Results: risk factors for malnutrition were vision problems, gastritis, hearing problems, abdominal distention and gases, decrease sense of taste, chronic diseases as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and taking more than 3 medications , there were a highly statistical significant positive correlation between total scores of initial risk factors for malnutrition and age and medication taking

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