Evaluation of malnutrition status and its related factors in the elderly living in nursing homes of Hamedan province in 1397

The elderly are a potentially vulnerable group in terms of malnutrition. Undesirable nutritional status provides grounds for illness and increased health costs. On the other hand, identification of effective factors can help health care providers to implement nutrition intervention programs to prevent malnutrition. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the status of malnutrition and its related factors in elderly people living in nursing homes.

In this descriptive-analytical study, 200 elderly people aged 60 years and over residing in the elderly homes of Hamadan province were selected by census method and entered into the study. In order to determine the nutritional status, a quantitative nutritional assessment questionnaire (MNA) was used to collect nutritional information and a demographic questionnaire was used to investigate the predisposing factors of malnutrition. Data were analyzed using chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis through SPSS software.

Of the 200 elderly, 55 (27.5%) were at risk of malnutrition and 145 (72.5%) had normal nutrition. There was a significant relationship between nutritional status and various factors such as gender, marital status, type of disorder, dental status, location, education level, occupational status, meeting with relatives and economic status (p <0.001).

According to the results of this study, a high percentage of elderly people at risk for malnutrition, which could endanger their health, is therefore necessary to identify people at risk, to improve nutrition and to prevent the risks associated with it. , Appropriate measures should be taken in nursing homes.