Department of Physiotherapy, Bahir-Dar University, Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia.
Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Front Public Health. 2024 Oct 10;12:1399027. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1399027. eCollection 2024.
The limitation of carry out everyday activities independently is a common experience for older adults with functional disabilities, which can hurt their overall well-being. Unfortunately, there is still a dearth of evidence about how common it is among older adults, especially in low-and middle-income countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of functional disability among older adults living in Bahir Dar city, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2023.
A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults (≥60 years) living in Bahir Dar city, Northwest, Ethiopia. A total of 598 study participants were included using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Barthel Index (BI) was used to assess the functional capacity of older adults which comprises 10 items. The total score ranges from 0 to 100. Variables significant in bivariable analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis. A < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in the final logistic regression model.
Among the 598 participants studied, the overall prevalence of functional disability was 29.6 (95% CI: 26.0-33.4). Older age (≥70 years) {adjusted odds ratio(AOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.03-4.88)}, comorbidity (AOR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.47-5.94), physically inactive (AOR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.18-4.96), one and more drug users (AOR: 3.61; 95% CI: 2.12-6.15), cognitive impairment (AOR: 3.66; 95% CI: 2.26-4.93) and depression (AOR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.08-2.68) were found significant associated factors of functional disabilities among older adults.
This study found that nearly one-third of older adults had functional disabilities. Functional disability was significantly associated with factors such as increasing age, presence of comorbidities, being physically inactive, one and more drug users, who developed cognitive impairment, and having depression symptoms. Proactive measures need to be initiated to ensure proper care and support of functionally disabled individuals, especially targeting vulnerable groups identified in this study.
独立进行日常活动的能力受限是功能残疾的老年人常见的体验，这会损害他们的整体幸福感。不幸的是，关于这种情况在老年人中有多普遍，尤其是在埃塞俄比亚等中低收入国家，仍然缺乏证据。因此，本研究旨在评估 2023 年居住在埃塞俄比亚西北部巴赫达尔市的老年人的功能残疾发生率及其相关因素。
本研究采用社区为基础的横断面研究方法，在埃塞俄比亚西北部巴赫达尔市的老年人（≥60 岁）中进行。采用多阶段抽样技术，共纳入 598 名研究对象。通过访谈员管理的问卷收集数据。巴氏指数（BI）用于评估老年人的功能能力，该指数包含 10 个项目。总得分范围为 0 至 100。在单变量分析中具有统计学意义的变量被纳入多变量逻辑回归分析。在最终的逻辑回归模型中，P 值＜0.05 被认为具有统计学意义。
在 598 名参与者中，整体功能残疾发生率为 29.6%（95%CI：26.0-33.4）。较年长（≥70 岁）（调整后的优势比（AOR）：2.24；95%CI：1.03-4.88）、合并症（AOR：2.96；95%CI：1.47-5.94）、身体不活动（AOR：2.42；95%CI：1.18-4.96）、使用一种或多种药物（AOR：3.61；95%CI：2.12-6.15）、认知障碍（AOR：3.66；95%CI：2.26-4.93）和抑郁（AOR：1.70；95%CI：1.08-2.68）是老年人功能残疾的显著相关因素。
本研究发现，近三分之一的老年人存在功能残疾。功能残疾与多种因素显著相关，包括年龄增长、合并症、身体不活动、使用一种或多种药物、认知障碍和抑郁症状。需要采取积极措施，确保为功能残疾者提供适当的护理和支持，特别是针对本研究中确定的弱势群体。
