Factors associated with low social support and participation among Brazilian older adults with disabilities: a cross-sectional study based on the 2019 national health survey.
The findings contribute to the identification of groups most vulnerable to low social support and low social participation among older adults with disabilities, and highlights the importance of targeted strategies to promote social inclusion in aging populations.
Abstract
Background
Lack of social connections and limited social participation are associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. Understanding the determinants that influence these social dimensions is essential for the early identification of vulnerable groups. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze factors associated with low social support and low social participation among Brazilian older adults with disabilities.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 5,511 older adults (≥ 60 years) with permanent disabilities, based on data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. Social support from friends and family, as well as the frequency of participation in physical, community, and religious activities, were assessed in relation to sociodemographic, economic, and health-related variables. Pearson's Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression models were applied.
Results
The prevalence of permanent disability was 24.7%, and the mean age of participants was 73.2 years. Lower levels of social support were observed among older adults aged 60-74 years, individuals with lower educational attainment, those without a partner, residents of urban areas in the North and Southeast regions, those with multiple domains of disability, and those reporting poorer self-rated health. Low social participation was more prevalent among men, older adults of more advanced age, White individuals, those with lower education, urban residents, individuals with poor self-rated health, those not using assistive devices, smokers, those with multiple domains of disability and those with no multimorbidity.
Conclusions
The findings contribute to the identification of groups most vulnerable to low social support and low social participation among older adults with disabilities. Because these patterns vary according to the type of social support and type of participation, this study highlights the importance of targeted strategies to promote social inclusion in aging populations.
Insufficient physical activity remains a major public health challenge and is socially unequally distributed. Physical activity-related health competence (PAHCO) specifies the personal skills that enable health-enhancing physical activity. It integrates aspects of health literacy and comprises movement competence, control competence and self-regulation competence. This study examined the distribution of PAHCO in the adult population living in Germany and its associations with characteristics of social inequalities, health-related vulnerability, and limited social resources. We used data from a cross-sectional nationwide population-based survey of German-speaking adults conducted via standardised computer-assisted telephone interviews between January and May 2023 (n = 3,986). Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between low PAHCO levels (overall score and its three sub-competencies) and characteristics of social inequalities, including sociodemographic factors (older age, female gender, lower education, and lower equivalent income), health-related vulnerability (poor self-rated general and mental health, chronic conditions), and social resources (low social support). Overall, 38.2% of the population showed low/rather low PAHCO levels. Higher odds of low/rather low PAHCO were observed among adults aged 65 years and older compared to 18-29-year-olds (OR = 3.77, 95% CI: 2.28–6.22), among individuals with low versus high formal education (OR = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.37–2.82), and among those in the lowest versus highest income group (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.23–3.10). The further relevant predictors of lower PAHCO were poor self-rated general, mental health and chronic conditions as well as low social support. These patterns were consistent across all three sub-competences, but age and gender differences were observed only for movement competence. The findings indicate a need to strengthen PAHCO in more than one third of the population and suggest that PAHCO could help reduce insufficient physical activity associated with social inequalities and health-related vulnerability. Strategies to promote movement competence, control competence, and self-regulation competence should particularly address the needs and living conditions of older adults, individuals with lower education levels, poorer health status, or lower social support. Physical activity promotion programmes should address all three sub-competences of PAHCO in a target-group-specific manner.
O. Domanska, S. Jordan, K. Manz et al.· BMC Public Health· 0 citations
Background: The burden experienced by caregivers of people with severe disabilities is a multidimensional issue influenced by various sociodemographic factors. Identifying these factors is essential for developing interventions and public policies that support this vulnerable population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the sociodemographic factors that influence caregiver burden in individuals caring for people with severe disabilities, including age, sex, education level, kinship, and caregiving challenges. Method: A non-experimental, cross-sectional, and explanatory study was conducted. The sample comprised 686 Peruvian caregivers of individuals with severe disabilities, selected through non-probabilistic sampling. Data were collected using the Caregiver Burden Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: Significant differences in caregiver burden were found according to age, kinship, education level, caregiving duration, caregiving-related problems, and consultation with a health professional (all P < .001). Multiple regression analysis (adjusted R2 = .197, P < .001) showed that caregiving-related problems (β = .212), kinship, education level, age, and professional consultation were the main predictors of caregiver burden. Conclusion: The findings confirm that caregiver burden is influenced by multiple sociodemographic and contextual factors. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies to reduce caregiver burden and improve their overall well-being.
Orfelina Arpasi-Quispe, David Javier-Aliaga, Keila Miranda-Limachi et al.· Journal of Primary Care & Co...· 0 citations
ABSTRACT Background Mental health is a neglected public health issue in post-conflict zones like Somalia. Objective(s) Given the absence of community-based data in Somalia, this study sought to determine the prevalence and associated factors with Self-Reported Mental Health Difficulties among individuals aged 10 years and older by utilizing a nationally representative sample. Methods We analyzed secondary data from the 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey of 49,389 individuals aged 10 years and older. We used descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regression models to estimate prevalence and pinpoint socioeconomic and clinical factors. Results The overall prevalence of Self-Reported Mental Health Difficulties among Somali individuals aged 10 years and older was 0.83%. Multilevel analysis revealed that advanced age was a primary correlate, individuals aged 55 years and older had 14.30 times higher odds of reporting self-reported mental health difficulties compared with those aged 10–19 years. Significant clinical correlates included a history of stroke (AOR = 4.07), chronic back pain (AOR = 2.76), and high blood pressure (AOR = 2.57). Conclusions While reported prevalence is relatively low, likely reflecting severe impairment and cultural under-reporting, the burden is disproportionately high among elderly individuals and those with physical comorbidities. Policy interventions should focus on secondary prevention by integrating mental health screening into primary care for chronic diseases and developing specialized geriatric support services to bridge the treatment gap in Somalia.
Hibo Abdillahi Omer, Khadar Mowlid Abdi, Abdisalam Hassan Muse· Global Health Action· 0 citations
OBJECTIVES
Guided by the Social Ecological Model (SEM), this study aimed to examine multilevel influences on social participation among community-dwelling older adults from the perspectives of older adults and community workers.
METHODS
A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used. The quantitative component included 641 community-dwelling older adults from five communities in Beijing, China. The qualitative component involved semi-structured interviews with 18 older adults and 14 community workers. Findings were integrated through an SEM-guided joint display and triangulation protocol.
RESULTS
Older age, cognitive impairment, impairment of activities of daily living, and poor self-rated health were associated with lower social participation, whereas higher educational attainment, social support, weekly exercise, and active community encouragement were associated with higher participation. Qualitative findings identified 10 subthemes, showing that participation was also linked to interest preferences, family and peer relationships, communication and mobilization, activity design, accessibility, resource support, and policy and institutional conditions. Integrated analysis showed the clearest convergence for health- and function-related influences, while qualitative findings clarified how social support and community encouragement operated in practice.
DISCUSSION
Social participation among community-dwelling older adults appears to be associated with interrelated factors across individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels. Efforts to support participation in later life may benefit from addressing not only functional vulnerability but also the relational, organizational, and contextual conditions that makes participation feasible in community settings.
Yufan Yang, Weihang Xu, Mingyao Sun et al.· The journals of gerontology....· 0 citations
Highlights • Physical activity levels were low among older adults in São Paulo.• Public program awareness was associated with higher physical activity.• Physical activity was higher in Southeast and East than in North São Paulo.• Proximity to public spaces and perceived safety showed no independent association after adjustment for personal and regional factors.• A higher number of facilitators was associated with higher physical activity.
Bruno Holanda Ferreira, Emerson Sebastião, O. A. Leão et al.· Clinics· 0 citations
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