1.1 Introduction
Chronic diseases are slowly becoming more prevalent worldwide. The implications and ramifications of these illnesses vary and affect not only the patient but the entire household in many ways (Okediji et al., 2017). Chronic illnesses have been associated with disability and this can have serious economic implications on the individual and his/her family as they generally deprive individuals of their productivity and health potentials (Suhrcke et al., 2006). Chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, mental illnesses, and other non-communicable diseases have become major issues globally (WHO, 2011).
This chapter will address the background information that motivated this study, the challenges that prompted it, its aim, and its objectives as a preface to subsequent sections of the study. Additional factors include the study's significance, scope, limitations, research questions and hypotheses, and the definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Globally, the prevalence of chronic illnesses is gradually rising. According to Okediji et al. (2017), these disorders have a variety of consequences and ramifications that impact not just the patient but the entire household in many ways. Since chronic illnesses often rob people of their potential for both health and production, they have been linked to disability, which may have a major financial impact on the affected person and their family (Suhrcke et al., 2006). Chronic conditions such diabetes mellitus, heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, mental disorders, and other non-communicable diseases are becoming important problems (WHO, 2011).
Numerous researches is being done on digital technologies for nursing care in the hopes that these technologies will help alleviate the shortage of skilled workers and the rapidly rising costs of care (Bemelmans et al., 2012; Fleming et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2016; Khosravi et al., 2016). These technologies may even be able to replace some aspects of human nursing work. Digital technologies supporting nursing care are a vast field that are either being developed or are now being used (Krick et al., 2019).
It is well documented that in public health terms chronic diseases have come to “matter” in developing countries, where they impose a sizeable and growing disease burden (WHO 2001). The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project estimates that as of 2002, chronic or non-communicable conditions accounted for 54% of death in low and middle income countries compared with 36% attributed to communicable disease, material and perorated condition and nutritional deficiencies.
The WHO in June 2012 reported that between 56% and 19.4% of people worldwide have disabilities. The number has increase since the 1990, when 10% of the world population and disability, and are expected to continue rising due to improvement in medical care that transformed previously total illness, such as cancer and HIV/AIDS into chronic conditions. According to WHO (2002), chronic disease create large adverse and under-appreciated economic effects of families communities and countries chronic diseases and poverty are interconnected in a vicious cycle. In almost all countries, it is the poorest people who are most at risk of developing chronic diseases and dying prematurely from them. Poor people are more vulnerable for several reasons to chronic illness, including greater exposure to risk and decreased access to health services. It is people and families who are already poor who are most likely to suffer because chronic diseases are likely to ruin family economic prospects.
Chronic diseases do not only affect the elderly and wealthy. Poor people and working age populations carry a significance share of the burden and risk factor of the chronic diseases. Chronic disease significantly affect economic for the individual, his or her family and general economy, affecting consumption and performance in the market.
As in other developing countries, chronic illness in Nigeria limits the young and old daily functional because of a chronic mental health or physical health condition. One member of a family with chronic illness influences the life of everyone in the family (WHO 2001). Chronic diseases are diseases of long duration and generally slow profession.
According to world health organization (WHO 2005) Chronic illness such as heart diseases, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 63% of all death out of 36 million people who died from chronic diseases in 2008 nine million were under 60 years and ninety percent of these premature death occurred in low and middle income countries.
In Singapore, chronic diseases are significant cause of illness and death. Chronic diseases have serious impact on individuals and on society in general. They affect the quality of life of individuals and can be a financial burden on those who are affected. A number of risk factor related to an individual lifestyle can contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Risk factor such as unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and smoking are mostly modifiable.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to explore the Efficacy of Digital Nursing in Improving Chronic Disease Management for Elderly Patients.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that nurses deal with elderly patients on a regular basis, which exposes them to a variety of illnesses and sharp injuries as part of their job. Adhering to conventional measures is crucial in mitigating the spread of chronic diseases. The major health challenges facing people today is chronic illness most especially among families. Chronic illness is considered to be a major problem in the Nigeria health system today the group this illness is likely to affect most is low income earning group. Chronic disease is one of the main health issues that people today are confronting.
The group that chronic sickness is most likely to affect is the lower income earning group. Chronic illness is now seen as a serious concern in the Nigerian health system. The economic effects of the rising illness burden have not been thoroughly recorded, despite the clear epidemiological preponderance of chronic disease, which piques the researcher's curiosity. Despite the unambiguous predominance of chronic disease in sheer epidemiological terms, the economic dominions of the growing diseases burden have not be toughly documented particularly in the lower income group of families this generate the interest of the researcher.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to explore the Efficacy of Digital Nursing in Improving Chronic Disease Management for Elderly Patients in Obi-Ayhagha Town Ughelli South. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To find out the relationship between digital nursing and chronic disease management for elderly patients;
- To investigate the effect of digital nursing in the management of chronic diseases;
- To determine the economic implications of chronic illnesses on elderly patients in the area under study; and
- To examine the contribution of digital nursing in prevention and management of Chronic Diseases among elderly patients.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Is there any significant relationship between digital nursing and chronic disease management for elderly patients?
- What are the economic implications of chronic illnesses on elderly patients in the area under study?
- What is the effect of digital nursing in the management of chronic diseases?
- What is the contribution of digital nursing in prevention and management of Chronic Diseases among elderly patients?
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