Abstract
BackgroundFrailty is associated with healthy ageing, and it has been identified as a means of measuring older adults’ physio-psychosocial health. We know about the ageing trends and common diseases of older adults living in South Asia, but literature to date does not widely feature their health status based on frailty, especially in Bangladesh. This study aims to understand the prevalence of frailty in Bangladeshi older adults; classify their health status; and investigate associated risk factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in the north-eastern region (i.e. Sylhet City Corporation) of Bangladesh. Four hundred participants aged 55 years and above were randomly selected, attended a health assessment session and completed a multi-indicator survey questionnaire. We developed a 30-indicator Frailty Index (FI30) to assess the participant’s health status and categorized: good health (no-frailty/Fit); slightly poor health (mild frailty); poor health (moderate frailty); and very poor health (severe frailty). Pearson chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted.ResultsThe participants’ mean age was 63.6 years, and 61.6% of them were assessed in poor to very poor health (moderate frailty/36.3% - severe frailty/25.3%). The eldest, female and participants from lower family income were found more frailty than their counterparts. Participants aged 70 years and above were more likely (adjusted OR: 4.23, 95% CI: 2.26–7.92, p < 0.0001) to experience frailty (medical conditions) than the pre-elderly age group (55–59 years). Female participants were more vulnerable (adjusted OR = 1.487, 95% CI: 0.84–2.64, p < 0.0174) to frailty (medical conditions) than male. Also, older adults who had higher family income (Income>$473.3) found a lower risk (adjusted OR: 0.294, 95% CI: 0.11–0.76, p < 0.011) of frailty (poor health).ConclusionOur study results confirm the prevalence of frailty-related disorders in Bangladeshi older adults and highlight the importance of targeted clinical and community-led preventive care programs.
Highlights
Frailty is associated with healthy ageing, and it has been identified as a means of measuring older adults’ physio-psychosocial health
Healthy ageing refers to an absence of physical and psychological conditions, but all South Asian countries ranked low in geriatric care, as such many older adults live with weakness, pain, obesity, eyesight, hearing loss, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and psychological problems [1]
In South Asian Context, our study presented a high prevalence of frailty (61.6%) in older adults who are experiencing ‘poor-very poor’ health, and this prevalence is greater than other South Asian countries (India - 26%; Pakistan - 55.4%; Nepal – 46.2%; and Sri Lanka – 15.2%)
Summary
Frailty is associated with healthy ageing, and it has been identified as a means of measuring older adults’ physio-psychosocial health. We know about the ageing trends and common diseases of older adults living in South Asia, but literature to date does not widely feature their health status based on frailty, especially in Bangladesh. Healthy ageing refers to an absence of physical and psychological conditions, but all South Asian countries ranked low in geriatric care, as such many older adults live with weakness, pain, obesity, eyesight, hearing loss, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and psychological problems [1]. These conditions are progressive in nature - require acute care needs – but are not being reported until they become severe. Growing older population and their health conditions challenge public health leaders and clinicians in South Asia, especially in Bangladesh where geriatric care services and resources are limited
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