The Association Between Objectively Measured Vision Impairment and Self-Reported Physical Activity Among 34,129 Adults Aged ≥50 Years in Six Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The authors investigated the association between vision impairment and physical activity among older adults from low- and middle-income countries. Visual acuity was measured using the tumbling ElogMAR chart, and vision impairment was defined as visual acuity worse than 6/18 (0.48 logMAR) in the better seeing eye. Physical activity was assessed by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression and meta-analysis were conducted to assess associations. The sample included 34,129 individuals aged 50–114 years (mean [SD] age 62.4 [16.0] years; 47.9% male). After adjustment for confounders, near vision impairment was not significantly associated with low physical activity, but far vision impairment showed a significant association (odds ratio = 1.32; 95% confidence interval [1.17, 1.49], I2 = 0.0%). Far vision impairment was dose-dependently associated with low physical activity (e.g., severe [<6/10] vs. no [≥6/12] far vision impairment; odds ratio = 1.80; 95% confidence interval [1.03, 3.15]). Interventions to address low levels of physical activity in the visually impaired in low- and middle-income countries should target those with far vision impairment.

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Informal Caregiving, Chronic Physical Conditions, and Physical Multimorbidity in 48 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The Journals of Gerontology Series A ◽

10.1093/gerona/glaa017 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 75 (8) ◽

pp. 1572-1578 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Louis Jacob ◽

Hans Oh ◽

Jae Il Shin ◽

Josep Maria Haro ◽

Davy Vancampfort ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Confidence Interval ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Informal Caregivers ◽

Informal Caregiving ◽

World Health ◽

World Health Survey ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Physical Conditions ◽

Low And Middle Income

Abstract Background The health of the caregivers is crucial to sustain informal care provision, while multimorbidity is an important health risk concept. However, studies on the association between informal caregiving and physical multimorbidity are currently lacking. Therefore, we investigated this association in adults from 48 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Method Cross-sectional data from 242,952 adults (mean age 38.4 years) participating in the World Health Survey 2002–2004 were analyzed. Informal caregivers were considered those who provided help in the past year to a relative or friend (adult or child) who has a long-term physical or mental illness or disability, or is getting old and weak. Nine physical conditions were assessed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between informal caregiving and physical multimorbidity, while the between-country heterogeneity in this relationship was studied with country-wise analyses. Results The overall prevalence of informal caregiving and physical multimorbidity (ie, two or more physical conditions) was 19.2% and 13.2%, respectively. Overall, caregivers had 1.40 (95% confidence interval = 1.29–1.52) times higher odds for physical multimorbidity. This association was particularly pronounced in younger caregivers (eg, 18–44 years: odds ratio = 1.54; 95% confidence interval = 1.37–1.72), whereas this association was not statistically significant among those aged ≥65 and older (odds ratio = 1.19; 95% confidence interval = 0.98–1.44). Country-wise analyses corroborated these findings, and there was a negligible level of between-country heterogeneity (I2 = 24.0%). Conclusions In LMICs, informal caregivers (especially young caregivers) were more likely to have physical multimorbidity. This should be taken into account in policies that address the health and well-being of informal caregivers.

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Diet intake, physical activity and carer burden among carers from Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs): A Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Growth and Development ◽

10.25081/ijgd.2017.v1i1.28 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 27

Author(s):

Sumaira Nasim

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Research ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Depth Information ◽

Middle Income ◽

Carer Burden ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽

Low And Middle Income

Background: People suffering from disability or chronic diseases are mostly assisted by family members or friends in an unpaid capacity, termed as carer. Carer assist in daily activities of dependent. However, the role of care is generally least recognized in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). The literature indicates that the carer role can lead to burden and affect daily life due to time and financial constraints, and lack of support which can affect the diet, physical activity, and wellbeing of the carer. To best of our knowledge, there is no collective information on this topic. Thus, the aim of this research is to appraise the literature regarding diet quality, physical activity, and burden on carer’s from LMICs. Methods: The study will be registered in PROSPERO in January 2017. Databases for searching literature will include Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane library and Scopus. Research that assesses nutrient intake, physical activity and carer burden conducted in LMICs will be included. LMICs will be identified according to World Bank classification. There will be no restriction on year of publication. One researcher will collect eligible researches, 10% will be randomly selected to reassess by two independent researchers. For the appraisal of quantitative researches, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews will be used. For qualitative research, Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis will be the preferred tool. Qualitative data will be entered NVivo software and thematic analysis will be performed. For quantitative researches, the obtained data will be entered on Excel sheet and meta-analysis will be performed where possible, using STATA 14. Discussion: This will be the first attempt to understand the carer’s diet, physical activity and carer burden in LMICs. Inclusion of both quantitative and qualitative research will provide in-depth information and deeper understanding of topic. Moreover, useful to understand the effect of different cultures of LMICs on carer role and positive or negative effects on life style. This research will be valuable to draw attention of researchers, academia, and policy makers for in-depth researches, cultural specific interventions and initiation of health promotion programs to improve quality of life in this vulnerable group.

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