Exploring Elders’ Life Situation in Haramaya Town, East Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was target to examine Elders’ Life Situation in Haramaya town, East Hararghe, Ethiopia. The study involved 53(24 males and 29 females) volunteer elders to participate. Data were collected through interview and questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a blend of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis method. Findings indicated that two-third of elder adults reported as if they could have their daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. To this inverse, about one-third of them reported as if they couldn’t have their daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. Data secured through interview yield the same outcome, however, the quality of diet they could have consumed matters. Meaning, as information obtained from respondents through interview depicted, for some of them, having a breakfast mean having a slice of bread with tea/coffee. Therefore, it’s difficult to dare to say elders of Haramaya town have access to a balanced diet on daily basis. The attention elders given to their personal hygiene is very poor.  In support of this idea, information gathered through interview confirmed that among 23 respondents randomly selected for interview, only two of them reported as if they could take a shower twice a week, six of them ones a week, seven of them ones per two weeks and five of them ones peer three weeks and three of them were reported as if they take a shower ones a month. Additionally, among respondents of the study 75% of them reported as if they get their clothes washed ones per two weeks. Thus, it is non-contentious to conclude that, respondents of the study have a poor habit of keeping their personal hygiene. Among respondents, one- fourth of them have no toilet room at all. Even among those who have claimed as if they could have toilet room nearby their home, only 34(64%) of them reported of its appropriateness. Above half of the respondents of the study  reported as if they never prefer to go medical center whenever they feels discomfort or ill rather they preferred to be treated traditionally. Despite all life challenges they are wrestling with it, elders of Haramaya town have reported as if they are blissful with their lives. Feel respected, satisfied with and love their lives. Female elders have positive attitude towards their lives than their male elder adults’ counterparts. Attempts were made to explain findings within the existing ecological and socio-cultural practices of the study area. Recommendations were also suggested as to how to properly address the gaps noted in this research

Keywords: Elders; life situation and Haramaya