Main Article Content
Assessment of Nutritional Vulnerability of the Elderly using Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) Tool
Abstract
Objective: The vulnerability of the elderly (65years and above) to nutritional risks is the main thrust of this paper.
Subjects and methods: Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select a total of 600 subjects from eight communities in Umuahia North and Ikwuano Local Government Areas of Abia state. About sixty-three percent were females while 37% were males. Structured, validated and pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-economic status, while Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) form was used to assess nutritional vulnerability. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data on socioeconomic status. Data from MNA was analyzed by stratifying the respondents as “well nourished” MNA≥ 24, “at risk of malnutrition” 17-23.5 and “malnourished” <17points.
Results: The males had significantly higher (p<0.05) monthly income than the females and literacy levels were higher for males than females. Almost two-thirds (67%) had average monthly income less than N12, 000.00. About three-quarter (71% males and 79% females) were at risk of malnutrition. There was no significant correlation (p>0.05) between age, educational and income status with MNA.
Conclusion: This study revealed that a greater percentage (75%) of the subjects was nutritionally vulnerable to malnutrition which is not commendable.
Keywords: Elderly, vulnerability, mini nutritional assessment, malnutrition, risk.
Subjects and methods: Multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select a total of 600 subjects from eight communities in Umuahia North and Ikwuano Local Government Areas of Abia state. About sixty-three percent were females while 37% were males. Structured, validated and pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit information on socio-economic status, while Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) form was used to assess nutritional vulnerability. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data on socioeconomic status. Data from MNA was analyzed by stratifying the respondents as “well nourished” MNA≥ 24, “at risk of malnutrition” 17-23.5 and “malnourished” <17points.
Results: The males had significantly higher (p<0.05) monthly income than the females and literacy levels were higher for males than females. Almost two-thirds (67%) had average monthly income less than N12, 000.00. About three-quarter (71% males and 79% females) were at risk of malnutrition. There was no significant correlation (p>0.05) between age, educational and income status with MNA.
Conclusion: This study revealed that a greater percentage (75%) of the subjects was nutritionally vulnerable to malnutrition which is not commendable.
Keywords: Elderly, vulnerability, mini nutritional assessment, malnutrition, risk.
