Diet quality of the participants (n = 400).

Diet quality and morbidity profiles significantly influence health outcomes among older adults. However, their association with health-seeking behavior remains understudied in Bangladesh. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the association of diet quality and morbidity profiles with health-seeking behavior among older adults in Noakhali district, Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2024 among 400 adults aged ≥60 years at Noakhali General Hospital, Noakhali, Bangladesh. Data on socio-demographics, dietary patterns, morbidity profile, and health-seeking behavior were collected using a structured questionnaire. The mean Non-Communicable Disease (NCD)-Protect, NCD-Risk, and Global Dietary Recommendation (GDR) scores were 4.72, 1.94, and 11.77, respectively. Diabetes mellitus (98.2%) and musculoskeletal pain (44.3%) were the most prevalent morbidities. Around 30% of the participants visited healthcare providers at least once in a month. Consumption of pulses (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.927, p = 0.022), vitamin A-rich orange vegetables (aOR: 1.646, p = 0.040), and other fruits (aOR: 1.697, p = 0.034 was associated with higher healthcare utilization, while baked/grain-based sweets (aOR: 0.420, p = 0.015) and processed meat (aOR: 0.144, p < 0.001) were linked to lower healthcare use. Participants with musculoskeletal pain (aOR: 1.876, p = 0.013) and cardiovascular disease (aOR: 5.994, p = 0.003) were more likely to seek healthcare, while those with food allergies (aOR: 0.256, p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (aOR: 0.147, p = 0.047) were less likely. Moderate diet quality and specific morbidity profiles influence health-seeking behavior among older adults in Noakhali, Bangladesh. Therefore, the findings suggest that targeted dietary and healthcare interventions may enhance healthcare utilization and overall well-being of this vulnerable population.

膳食质量与发病特征显著影响老年人的健康结局。然而，在孟加拉国，二者与就医行为的关联尚未得到充分研究。为此，本研究旨在评估孟加拉国诺阿卡利地区老年人膳食质量、发病特征与就医行为之间的关联。本横断面研究于2024年1月至3月期间，在孟加拉国诺阿卡利综合医院纳入400名年龄≥60岁的成年人开展。研究采用结构化问卷收集社会人口学特征、膳食模式、发病特征及就医行为相关数据。非传染性疾病（Non-Communicable Disease, NCD）保护评分、NCD风险评分及全球膳食推荐（Global Dietary Recommendation, GDR）评分的平均值分别为4.72、1.94和11.77。糖尿病（98.2%）与肌肉骨骼疼痛（44.3%）为最常见的病症。约30%的参与者每月至少就诊1次。食用豆类（调整后比值比[adjusted odds ratio, aOR]: 1.927, p=0.022）、富含维生素A的橙色蔬菜（aOR: 1.646, p=0.040）及其他水果（aOR: 1.697, p=0.034）与更高的医疗服务利用率相关，而烘焙/谷物类甜食（aOR: 0.420, p=0.015）和加工肉类（aOR: 0.144, p<0.001）则与更低的医疗服务使用相关。伴有肌肉骨骼疼痛（aOR: 1.876, p=0.013）与心血管疾病（aOR: 5.994, p=0.003）的参与者更倾向于就医，而存在食物过敏（aOR: 0.256, p<0.001）与糖尿病（aOR: 0.147, p=0.047）的参与者就医可能性更低。膳食质量适中及特定发病特征会影响孟加拉国诺阿卡利地区老年人的就医行为。因此，本研究结果提示，针对性的膳食与医疗干预措施或可提升该脆弱群体的医疗服务利用率与整体健康水平。