Assessing Self-Rated Health Among Rural Older Adults in Varanasi Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

The onset of the pandemic necessitated widespread adaptation and adjustment to unprecedented circumstances in daily life. Particularly vulnerable were older adults, whose health suffered due to limited access to healthcare facilities.

This study examined the changes in the health status of older adults before and during the pandemic, as well as the factors associated with their deteriorating health conditions.

The cross-sectional survey was conducted through personal interviews among older adults aged 60 and above between March and April 2022. Multistage sampling techniques were used to collect the data. For analysis purposes, we used a sample of 450 older adults. Changes in health status were assessed using the Wilcoxon sign test, and the multinomial logistic regression model was used to point out the factors that were significantly associated with the health of older adults.

The study revealed significant shifts in older adults’ health during the pandemic, with a 13.7% increase in individuals rating their health as poor compared to pre-pandemic levels. Among OBC individuals, the increase was 17.6%, while for SC/ST individuals, it was 13.3%. Good health was significantly associated with the absence of comorbidities. Additionally, initiating and maintaining sleep, hypertension, walking impairment, weight loss, and the presence of any disease were significant predictors of self-rated health in this demographic.

These findings highlight the need for tailored health and social care strategies for older adults in rural areas. Developing effective approaches to prevent or delay chronic diseases, improve sleep quality, and manage hypertension could enhance their self-rated health and overall well-being.