http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/109 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:58:37 GMT 2026-04-07T08:58:37Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4800 Physiological Perspective of Musculo-skeletal Disorders among Older Persons in Bangladesh Jahan, Sharmila Study Background: Globally the number of ageing populations increasing day by day and Bangladesh is no exception. The disease incidence and prevalence has been shifted as communicable to non-communicable disease due to lake of physical activities, indiscipline, uncontrolled use of drugs, using pesticides and food preservatives etc. Back pain, Neck pain, Knee pain, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, balance and coordination problems, and falling tendency are common global neuro-musculoskeletal problems in older people (Alexandra Villa-Forte, 2019). Aim and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the physiological perspective of musculoskeletal disorders among older people in Bangladesh. The study's objectives were to explore the demographic characteristics, find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, discover the types of musculoskeletal disorders, investigate the biological, psychological and social perspective of musculoskeletal disorders and observe the quality of life of older people. Methodology: The study design was a cross-sectional survey. SP Hospitals Dhaka, all divisional centres of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Laboratory, Jashore University of Science and Technology and BRB Hospitals Ltd., Panthopath, Dhaka was the study area. The qualified graduate physiotherapist was involved in data collection from 204 participants conveniently selected with a mixed type of questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Ethical issues are appropriately maintained. Results: Regarding this study about 70% participants were male and 30% were female. About 36.9% of participants were living in a semi-rural area, and 31.6% of participants were living in an urban area. It was shown that about 82% of participants were not affected by COVID-19, and 18% were affected. Most of the participants' monthly income was less than 10,000 BDT, and that was 40.8%. Comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease were found in 46%, 22%, and 13% of the 206 people, respectively. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders found as most three common pain sites was Knee pain at 84.4%, back pain at 77.6% and neck vi pain at 41%. It established the biological perspectives of the musculoskeletal problem of each of the participants who were suffering from conditions such as degenerative bone disease, diabetes, obesity, muscle imbalance, inadequate fitness, poor health status, and so on. Degenerative bone disease was present at its highest in 98%; poor health status had the second-highest number of participants, with about 51.3% of the total, followed by muscular imbalance, with approximately 54.3% of the total. The researchers examined 206 individuals and, from the psychological perspectives of MSD, found that n = 156 participants were experiencing symptoms of depression, which is the biggest, and the anxiety group had the second greatest number of participants (n = 128 total). The social perspectives of MSD were social isolation at 76%, lack of rehabilitation services at 84%, and improper care of older people at 85% Conclusion: The study showed that most of the older persons in Bangladesh have been suffering from different musculoskeletal problems, where back pain, knee pain and neck pain are the most common. The biological perspective of musculoskeletal problems was bone degeneration and decreased bone mineral density; the psychological aspect was depression and anxiety, which controlled the mobility of the older, and the social perspectives were social isolation, the lack of rehabilitation services and improper care of older people in Bangladesh. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4800 2026-03-03T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4755 A Study on Health Problems of Elderly People in Dhaka City Mondal, Sipra Aging is a normal, physiological, inevitable, biological, and universal phenomenon in all living beings. The problems of older people are not merely medical; they are physical, mental, economic, and socio-cultural. The study used a mixed-methods approach that combined social survey and case study techniques with qualitative and quantitative methods. This study aimed to explore the Health Problems of Elderly People in Dhaka City. This study was conducted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Square Hospital Ltd, Dhaka. Two hundred twenty-seven respondents and 5 case studies were recruited using convenience sampling. The older people aged 60 and above who were willing to participate were recruited, and those who were seriously sick were excluded. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 25.0. In this study, the mean age of the respondents was 65.7 ± 3.164 years, and the majority (63.1%) were in the age group 70-79 years. More than half (55.1%) of the respondents were male, and more than six tenths (64.3%) were Muslim. Slightly below six-tenths (60.6%) of the respondents were married, and the majority (62.1%) reside in rural areas. More than half (57.3%) of the respondents lived in a joint family, and 48.1% had 5-7 family members. A little above two fifths (41.3%) of the respondents were cigarette smokers, and the mean monthly income was 17645.034 ± 103.412 BDT. The majority (43.4%) of the respondents had the present condition of body ectomorphic, followed by 40.3% those with mesomorphic, and the rest (16.4%) had endomorphic. More than eighty percent (80.2%) of the respondents had loose skin, followed by 65.5% who had dryness, and 55.5% who had itching. The majority (38.2%) of the respondents' hygiene conditions were moderate, and more than sixty v A Study on Health Problems of Elderly People in Dhaka City percent (66.1%) of the respondents were using spectacles. More than half (51.3%) of the respondents had normal hearing, 51.5% had no throat-related problems, 42.3% had gastric ulcers, and 78.4% had hypertension. Most (61.4%) respondents had pneumonia, and 68.7% were diagnosed with COVID-19. The majority (75.8%) of the respondents suffer from urinary incontinence, and 87.1% suffer from anxiety. The study revealed that sickness and aging are linked and that they are both natural processes. Senior citizens should be valued as human resources. The construction of counseling clinics that can address the age's medical, physiological, psychological, and social requirements is becoming increasingly necessary. The study's findings are expected to aid planners and policymakers in providing a better society in the future. Further support from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community initiatives to provide social and psychological support could also play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for the nation's elderly. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy. Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4755 2025-11-06T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4692 Mental Stress among Climate Migrant Older Women in Dhaka City Amjad, Karisma Climate change-induced displacement is a growing issue in Bangladesh, where frequent climate-related disasters force thousands of people to migrate annually. Older women, in particular, face compounded vulnerabilities due to the intersection of gender, age, and displacement, resulting in significant psychosocial stress. This study aims to investigate the mental stress experienced by climate-induced migrant women aged 60 and above, residing in Dhaka's urban slums, focusing on their migration journeys from rural to urban settings and exploring the psychosocial challenges they face before, during, and after displacement. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection. The qualitative component included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to explore the lived experiences of displaced older women, while the quantitative component utilized the Dhaka Stress Scale-Adult (DSS-A) to assess mental stress levels and examine its effects on the women’s well-being, alongside an evaluation of their living conditions. The quantitative findings indicated that 95% of respondents, all elderly climate migrant women, scored 301 or above, indicating severe levels of stress whereas qualitative findings discovered that Elderly climate migrant women in the Korail slum rely heavily on family support, particularly from sons, but face financial struggles, suboptimal living conditions, and significant psycho-social challenges, with repeated exposure to climatic events and disruptions in family structures creating chronic vulnerability. Findings also revealed that displacement disrupts established social networks and traditional coping mechanisms, exacerbating mental health vulnerabilities. Women reported feelings of loss, isolation, and anxiety about an uncertain future. Additionally, mental stress levels were significantly higher among displaced women, and their needs were often overlooked by both governmental and non-governmental support systems. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions, including community-based mental health services, policies to promote social inclusion, and support programs specifically designed for older women affected by climate-induced displacement. These interventions should address the unique needs of this marginalized population to mitigate the negative impacts of displacement. This research provides essential insights for policymakers and practitioners, advocating for more inclusive and responsive approaches to climate-induced displacement. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Mon, 07 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4692 2025-07-07T00:00:00Z http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4079 A Study on the Opportunities and Challenges of the Residents in Old Homes of Bangladesh. Rahman, Md. Zillur Very recently Bangladesh has begun to experience the rapid rise of older people in our population with a profound impact on intergenerational support systems as well as on socio-economic structures. In the near past, the issue of ageing was quite a family concern. As an Asian country, Bangladesh had a long cultural and religious tradition of looking after the elderly and it was expected that families and communities would care for their own older members. In those days, an older person was considered an asset rather than a burden. But recently, the scenario has begun to change. The majority of our older people suffer from the problems of severe poverty or inadequate income, malnutrition and ill health, the lack of caregivers, social degradation, exclusion and negligence which adversely affect the family living arrangements and compel some older people to take up their residences in the old homes. Although our Muslim culture does not cultivate such an extra-familial living arrangement, it is now a reality for some older people, particularly for those who do not have adequate shelter of their own, and who have no one to offer them a place to live. Very recently, the issue of such extra-familial living arrangements has come into a great prominence to the policymakers and academics, calling for the present study to investigate the older people who reside in old homes. The objectives of the study include examining the socio-demographic characteristics of the residents in old homes, identifying the reasons for living in old homes, recognizing the opportunities the residents enjoy, challenges the residents encounter in the old homes and providing recommendations to improve services and minimise challenges. The study findings are expected to contribute valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers grappling with the implications of an ageing population and providing recommendations to improve services and minimise the obstacles associated with the problem. Using a mixed method approach, the study applies both quantitative sample surveys and qualitative case studies. Three charitable old homes in diverse districts of Bangladesh serve as the study areas, with residents aged sixty and above constituting the sample. The sample design ensures homogeneity by focusing on charitable old homes to capture a coherent picture of this specific segment of the ageing population. The increased demand for old homes in Bangladesh necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics surrounding this living arrangement, and this research aims to address this critical gap in knowledge. The study concludes with a commitment to maintaining ethical standards, ensuring privacy for respondents, and providing a foundation for future research endeavours in this field. This thesis is submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://reposit.library.du.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/xmlui/handle/123456789/4079 2025-04-13T00:00:00Z