Loneliness among older persons in Uganda: examining social, economic and demographic risk factors

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 860-888 ◽  
Author(s):  
ABEL NZABONA ◽  
JAMES NTOZI ◽  
GIDEON RUTAREMWA
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

ABSTRACTLater-life loneliness is becoming an area of great concern in Uganda in light of gradual weakening of extended family as a source of old-age human support. Although information about the effects of feeling lonely exists, little is known about the associated risk factors within the country's social and cultural setting. This paper discusses prevalence and correlates of feeling lonely among older persons. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on 605 older persons in a 2012 cross-sectional study. Respondents were asked to evaluate how they felt in terms of loneliness during the administration of the questionnaire. A total of ten focus group discussions and 12 key informant interviews were also conducted to collect qualitative data. Binary logistic regression was used to predict factors affecting loneliness. Findings indicate that approximately seven in ten older persons felt lonely. Elderly people residing in the urban area were more likely to be lonely than their counterparts staying in the rural environment. In comparison with married older persons, elderly people who were widowed were more likely to be lonely. Absence of a television and pension benefits and prevalence of limb joint ill-health predicted loneliness. The findings have several implications, including developing age-friendly urban centres, encouraging old-age social organisations, decentralising the elderly health-care system and establishing a special old-age fund.

scholarly journals Risk factors for fear of falling in the elderly in Serbia

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 764-772
Author(s):  
Suncica Ivanovic ◽  
Sanja Trgovcevic
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Everyday Functioning ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Demographic Questionnaire ◽  
Study Results

Background/Aim. After a fall, the elderly can develop a fear of falling which can be more frequent and more serious problem than the fall itself because it represents the main factor limiting an older person in his/her everyday functioning. The aim of this study was to identify and examine, in a more detailed way, risk factors for developing fear of falling triggered by the history of their falls over the previous year in the elderly in Serbia who live in houses or apartments. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 people, mean age 75.04 years (min. 65, max. 94), randomly selected from the register of patients in the Primary Health Center of Nis (164 men and 236 women), in the period January- June 2014. Socio-demographic questionnaire ? Elderly Fall Screening Test (EFST), Multi-Factor Questionnaire Falls (MFQ) and Falls Efficacy Scale International (FESI) were used in this study. Results. After applying the multivariate binary logistic regression, it was found that significant predictors for developing fear of falling were as follows: female gender (OR = 2.599; p = 0.009), age 75?79 years (OR = 4.637; p = 0.009) and over 80 years (OR = 3.830; p = 0.001), increase in household members (OR = 1.206; p = 0.033), people who estimate their health as average (OR = 0.268; p < 0.001) and good (OR = 0.059; p < 0.001), number of falls higher than 2 (OR = 2.761; p = 0.003), presence of injuries during the fall (OR = 2.483; p = 0.028), periodical and repeating situations of ?near-fall? (OR = 3.830; p = 0.001), limited activity (OR = 2.124; p = 0.007) problems with sight (OR = 3.006; p < 0.001), cognitive problems (OR = 2.296; p = 0.005) and problems with balance (OR = 3.809; p < 0.001). Conclusion. The results of this study can be used for planning promotional programs for falls and a fear of falling prevention, as well as prevention of their consequences.

scholarly journals Determinants of inappropriate admission of elderly people in county-level hospitals: a cross-sectional study in rural China

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e026443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaomei Hu ◽  
Hongxia Gao ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Haomiao Li ◽  
Dai Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Elderly Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Inappropriate Admission

ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the characteristics and determinants of inappropriate admission to hospital of elderly people in rural China.DesignA cross-sectional study of a comparison between the elderly and non-elderly groups of people.SettingThe survey was conducted on the largest county-level general hospitals in four counties in central and western China.ParticipantsA total of 652 rural patients admitted in hospitals were surveyed, who were divided into two groups according to age: elderly group (n=230, age ≥60 years) and non-elderly group (n=422, age <60 years).Primary measuresThe Chinese version of the appropriateness evaluation protocol was used to evaluate the inappropriate admission rates. The interactive regression models based on the relationship of age (elderly and non-elderly) with other factors and binary logistic regression models were used in the analysis of the specific factors and determinants of the inappropriate admission of elderly people.ResultThe inappropriate admission rate for the rural elderly was 30%, which was lower than that of the non-elderly people (40.8%). Compared with the non-elderly group, women in the elderly group (OR=0.33, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.73) had a lower incidence of inappropriate admission, and elderly people with chronic diseases (OR=3.33, 95% CI 1.23 to 9.04) were more prone to being inappropriately admitted than non-elderly people with chronic diseases. The binary logistic regression analysis shows that county, age (OR=0.94. 95% CI 0.90 to 0.99), gender (OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.25 to 2.98), department and response to doctor’s admission request were the determinants of the inappropriate admission of elderly patients.ConclusionThe inappropriate admission rate of elderly people in rural China was high. We found that gender and chronic disease are the specific factors that were specific to non-elderly people. County, age, gender, department and response to a doctor’s admission request had substantial influence on the inappropriate admission of the elderly in rural China.

scholarly journals Does Food Insecurity Contribute towards Depression? A Cross-Sectional Study among the Urban Elderly in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Farhana Mesbah ◽  
Norhasmah Sulaiman ◽  
Zalilah Mohd Shariff ◽  
Zuriati Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status

With the aging of the population worldwide, there is an increasing concern for the mental health status as well as physical health. Depression is a common mental health problem among the elderly populations. Since the elderly are susceptible to food insecurity, this cross-sectional study is aimed to determine an association between food insecurity and depression among elderly people. A total of 220 elderly people- aged 60 years and above, residing in the Petaling district of Selangor, were included in this study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to obtain the pertinent information on demographic background, food security status (six items USDA FSSM), functional status (IADL, EMS), psychosocial status (LSNS-6), and depression status (GDS-15). Binary logistic regression was used to assess the factors that were associated with depression. The median age of the elderly sample was 65.5 years. The prevalence of depression and food insecurity that was recorded were 13.2% and 19.5%, respectively. Social isolation (AOR = 5.882, 95% CI: 2.221, 15.576), food insecurity (AOR = 3.539, 95% CI: 1.350, 9.279), and unsafe mobility (AOR= 3.729, 95% CI: 1.302, 10.683) increased the odds of depression. In conclusion, social isolation, food insecurity, and unsafe mobility are factors associated with depression among the elderly people. Plans such as health interventions as well as grocery and financial aid among the qualifying elderly are suggested to improve this depression and food insecurity.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Insomnia and Factors Associated with it Among the Elderly People of Sarangdanda VDC in Panchthar District

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 129-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Subedi
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Interview Schedule ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Keywords Alcohol ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Restorative Sleep

Insomnia is one of the major and unsolved problems in older people. Most of the sleep studies report that the different forms of insomnia like Difficulty Initiating Sleep (DIS), Difficulty Maintaining Sleep (DMS) and Non-Restorative Sleep (NRS) are common among the elderly that are associated to many factors. The objective of the study was to measure the prevalence of insomnia and the factors associated to it among the elderly people. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 142 elderly people of and above 60 years of age in Sarangdanda VDC of Panchthar District of Eastern Nepal. The presence or absence of insomnia and the associated factors were assessed on them by the help of interview schedule. The results were analyzed using chi-square test in SPSS (version 11.5). DMS was the most common reported form of insomnia among the elderly followed by DIS and NRS. Association between insomnia and each of factors like use of tobacco before sleeping hours, eating too close to bedtime, use of tea/coffee before sleeping hours and use of alcohol before sleeping hours were statistically significant at 95% level of confidence. Insomnia affects a large proportion of elderly and is triggered by many factors like use of tobacco before sleeping hours, use of tea/coffee before sleeping hours, eating too close to bedtime and use of alcohol before sleeping hours. Keywords: Alcohol; tea/coffee; difficulty initiating sleep (DIS); difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS); non-restorative sleep (NRS); tobacco DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v4i0.4517 Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.4 2010 pp.129-142

scholarly journals The role of quadriceps muscle strength in the development of falls in the elderly people, a cross-sectional study

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alijan Ahmadiahangar ◽  
Yahya Javadian ◽  
Mansour Babaei ◽  
Behzad Heidari ◽  
Seyedreza Hosseini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quadriceps Muscle Strength

scholarly journals OLD AGE HOMES: ARE THEY ACCEPTABLE TO PAKISTANI GERIATRIC POPULATION? RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF ELDERLY OUTPATIENTS VISITING TEACHING HOSPITALS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waris Qidwai ◽  
Imdad Ali Khushk ◽  
Fizzah Farooq ◽  
Muhammad Yusuf Hafiz ◽  
Kashmira Nanji
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Geriatric Population ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Old Age Homes

Background: Worldwide, some one million people pass the sixty year old threshold every month (Ageing, WHO). Between 2010 and 2050, the number of older people in less developed countries is projected to increase. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in Outpatient clinics (OPD) of two hospitals in Karachi from April to May 2013. Elderly (> 60 years of age) visiting the clinics were consecutively recruited. 477 elderly were approached and a pretested, structured questionnaire was used to obtain information. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 19 and Pearson chi-square test was used to identify the factors related to choosing of "Old Age Homes". Results: A total of 400 participants were selected. Fifty-five percent of the elderly were in between 60 to 65 years of age and majority was males 54.8 percent. Elderly were aware of the presence of "Old Age Homes" in Pakistan, however only 7 percent choose to live in there. The main reason was found to be that the elderly did not want to go away from their families and loved ones. Conclusion: In conclusion, majority of the participants felt insecure to live in a home with strangers. However, "Old Age Homes" were preferred choice for those with chronic diseases or those living alone. Media should initiate public education programs to reduce social stigmas in seeking alternate long-term care services outside of the family.

scholarly journals Arterial hypertension in the elderly accompanied in primary care: profile and associated factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Breno de Sousa Santana ◽  
Bárbara Soares Rodrigues ◽  
Marina Morato Stival ◽  
Cris Renata Grou Volpe
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Federal District ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Pressure Control ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Elderly Hypertensive

Abstract Objective: to analyze blood pressure control in elderly hypertensives accompanied by a Basic Health Unit of the Federal District, determining the sociodemographic profile and the associated risk factors. Method: this is a cross-sectional study with 133 elderly hypertensive patients. Variables related to sociodemographic factors, life habits, clinical factors and adherence to drug therapy were evaluated through the application of semistructured instruments and validated scales. Results with p <0.05 were considered significant. Results: the elderly presented controlled blood pressure (56.4%) predominantly. The majority of the participants were female and women also had a higher rate of uncontrolled blood pressure (86.2%). Older age was associated with higher blood pressure values (p = 0.031). Alcoholism (p = 0.020) and mean body mass index of 33.0 (p <0.000) were factors associated with hypertension adherence to therapy had more controlled values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion and implications for the practice: it was verified that there is a strong association between the risk factors discussed and the lack of control of the blood pressure of elderly hypertensive, especially with regard to advanced age, alcoholism, obesity and overweight, and it is necessary to reorient the planning and strategies of promotion of health and prevention of diseases directed at the elderly hypertensive in the scope of primary health care.

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