A pilot study of elderly people in an urban township in Lusaka

A random sample of 20 sections in Justin Kabwe ward was made. It was possible only to visit the houses in twelve of these sections. There were 1,586 people in 203 houses surveyed in these sections, giving an average of 7.8 people per house. Thirty people (1.9%) aged 55 years or older were identified and were the subjects of a more detailed survey. Twenty-two of these subjects had been in Lusaka for over 10 years and had come looking for work or with their husbands. There were active links with the rural areas in only 10 cases. Only three elderly people paid a rent, the remainder either being householder or living with their children. Half of the respondents had no animal protein on the previous day and four people had only had a single meal. All but one woman had various occupations either with regular employment, selling in the market or household responsibilities. Alcohol and tobacco consumption did not appear to be a problem. The main health problem was a raised blood pressure in half those examined, although a diastolic blood pressure of over 100mms of mercury was only present in 4 (14%). A further survey needs to be done on the nutritional state of the elderly, their blood pressure, and their economic situation.