Differentials and predictors of hospitalization among the elderly people in India: Evidence from 75th round of National Sample Survey (2017-18)

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionThere are limited evidences on the determinants of hospitalization and its causes in India. We examined the differential in the hospitalization rates and its socio-economic determinants. We also examined the causes of diseases in hospitalization among the elderly (≥60 years) in India.MethodsWe used data from 75th round of the National Sample Survey Organizations (NSSO), collected from July 2017 to June 2018. The elderly samples in this survey are 42759, where 11070 were hospitalized, and 31,689 were not hospitalized in the last year or 365 days. We estimated hospitalization rates and carried out binary logistic regression analysis to examine the associations of hospitalization with the background variables. The cause of diseases in hospitalizations were also calculated.ResultsHospitalization rate was lower among female elderly compared to male elderly. Elderly who belongs to middle-old aged groups, non-married, North-Eastern region, Southern region, general caste, health insurance, partially & fully economically dependent elderly have a higher chance of being hospitalized. About 38% elderly were hospitalized due to communicable diseases (CDs), 52% due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and 10% due to Injuries & others. Nearly 40% elderly were hospitalized in public hospitals due to CDs, while 52% were hospitalized in private hospitals due to NCDs and 11% due to Injuries & others.ConclusionsRaising awareness, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and improving the quality of good healthcare provisions at the primary level is necessary. Early screening and early treatment for NCDs are needed, which is non-existent in almost all parts of India.