USING NOVEL NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT TOOL TO ASSESS THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THE ELDERLY IN MAZENOD: THE CASE OF OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME IN LESOTHO

Abstract

Purpose: To assess nutritional status of elderly receiving non-contributory pension using NOVEL nutritional status assessment tool. 

Methodology: The study was cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative survey carried out from January to May 2015. It was conducted at Mazenod Post Office, in the Maseru District which served as a focal point of collection of non-contributory pension grant for the pensioners in the catchment area.

Findings: Eighty percent of the participants were females and the rest males. The median age was 77years, 75% of them were widowed. In terms of education 80% had primary education, 15% secondary and 5% had tertiary education. The nutritional status according to the Novel Score indicated that 50% of the female were at risk of malnutrition, 28% females were malnourished and 22% were well nourished, while 50% of the males were at risk of malnutrition, 17% were malnourished and 33% were well nourished.  There was a positive correlation without significance when the novel score was compared with mid-upper arm circumference in both males r = (0.068, 0.608), and females r = (0.068, 0.068) respectively.  The correlation of nutritional status versus monthly income was negative r= (-0.031, 0.813).

 Unique contribution to theory, practice: The non-contributory pension scheme for elderly people in Lesotho seems to have little or no impact on their nutritional status, because its inception has been long and they have resorted to using it in solving other family problems. This reflected in the results where, more than two thirds of the females were malnourished and /or at risk of malnutrition. Also 67% of males were either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. They cannot afford and access the basic physiological needs like nutritious food, water, health care services, security and many more.