title: Socio-economic circumstances and functional abilities of elderly black persons in the Orange Free State.
abstract: A community-based epidemiological study was undertaken to determine the health profile of the elderly black population in the Orange Free State. Four hundred elderly blacks were randomly selected from 10 towns. Questionnaires on past and present illnesses, socio-economic circumstances (including formal education) and daily activities were completed. Most of the elderly blacks received a state old-age pension and 15.3% were still economically active. We found that 63% of the subjects were illiterate and that 31% did not live with their children. Inability to perform any of six activities was found in 3.2%. In view of the high number of elderly persons living alone, we feel that the development of support services should receive urgent attention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Bester
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weich
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Albertyn
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa