Bidang Kajian : Warga Emas
Pelajar/Pengkaji Oleh: Enny Esdayantey Binti Abdul Manab
Alamat Emel: ennyyantey@gmail.com
Tarikh: 08/09/2015
Abstrak Kajian
Introduction: There are limited evidence based studies to link between oral hygiene and nutritional status among institutionalized elderly. Hence suggestions have been made on the importance of nutrition education (in particular nutritional status) to be supplemented with oral health for general health benefit especially to elderly. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of health promotion intervention programmed in improving oral hygiene, dietary intake and nutritional status among elderly living in the public institution homes (Rumah Seri Kenangan RSK) in Kelantan and Kedah. Methods: A community trial study was conducted in two RSKs which randomly allocated to intervention and control group. The caregivers and kitchen’s cooks in intervention group received ONE health promotion package whereas the control group continued with existing care by health authority. Elderly residents were enrolled and underwent oral hygiene, dietary intake and nutritional assessment at baseline, and follow up visits after 3 and 6 months. Oral hygiene assessment was conducted using Sillnes and Loe index (1964) for donate elderly whilst Ausburger and Elahi criteria (1982) for the denture wearers. Anthropometric measurement was performed to obtain BMI, whilst calf circumference was measured in those bedridden/ disabled elderly. A structured interview consists of Dietary History Questionnaire (DHQ) and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Version (MNA-SF) conducted in Malay language to provide information on dietary intake and general nutritional status. IBM SPSS version 22 and Nutritionist Pro 4.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Majority of respondents in both groups was among Malay ethnicity with low education and had lack of financial support. Baseline anthropometric profiles in intervention and control group showed that BMI and CC within the normal range. Based on analysis of effectiveness of ONE package, there was reduction in plaque scores and apparent improvement in nutrients intakes such as calcium, selenium and vitamin A were noted in intervention group (p>0.001). However, there was no significant changes in nutritional status (MNA-SF scores) between both groups after six months period of study. Conclusion: Although the residents’ oral health were still short of ideal, this study clearly shows that at a modest cost, ONE package able towards the caregiver’ and kitchen’s cooks able to exert positive influence in oral hygiene and general health (dietary and nutritional status) in elderly residents. This indicated that oral health and nutritional intervention is deemed important to maintain health status especially among institutionalized elderly.