Prevalence of functional disability and associated factors among older people in Vietnam: a secondary data analysis.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the prevalence of functional disabilities and associated factors among older people in Vietnam.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey of older people aged 60 years and over in Vietnam using a multistage sampling method.

SETTING

The study used weighted data from the Vietnam Ageing Survey in 12 provinces in Vietnam.

PARTICIPANTS

The study sample consists of 3183 men and women aged 60 years and over.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The study used the Katz Index of Independence in Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) to assess functional disabilities. Bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regressions were used to explore the association between functional disability indicators and associated factors such as sociodemographic, health status, health behaviours and social participation.

RESULTS

The prevalence of ADL limitation, IADL limitation and both ADL/IADL limitations among older people were 44.6%, 35.2% and 26.3%, respectively. After adjustment, the associated factors for ADL limitation, including age (OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.06), lower education (secondary school vs high school and above: OR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.34 to 3.33), lower wealth quintiles (lowest vs highest quintile: OR=2.36, 95% CI: 1.57 to 3.56), fair/poor/very poor self-rated health (vs good/very good: OR=5.40, 95% CI: 3.42 to 8.52), number of chronic diseases (OR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.24 to 1.62), depressive symptoms (OR=2.58, 95% CI: 1.84 to 3.67), receiving financial support (OR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.021 to 2.12) and lack of social participation (OR=1.97, 95% CI: 1.38 to 2.81). The associated factors for IADL limitation included age (OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.09), lower education (no schooling/incomplete primary education vs high school and above: OR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.29 to 4.05), lower wealth quintiles (poorest vs wealthiest: OR=2.82, 95% CI: 1.76 to 4.52), not working (OR=3.24, 95% CI: 2.36 to 4.44), did not drink alcohol in the last 6 months (OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.30), number of chronic diseases (OR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.44), depressive symptoms (OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.53 to 2.75) and lack of social participation (OR=3.88, 95% CI: 2.64 to 5.71). The associated factors for both ADL/IADL limitations were age, lower education, lower wealth quintiles, not working, fair/poor/very poor self-rated health, number of chronic diseases, depressive symptoms, receiving financial support, and lack of social participation.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of functional disabilities among older people in Vietnam was high. Functional disabilities were multifactorial, and the multicomponent interventions and policies for older people should focus on improving health literacy, preventing and managing depression and chronic diseases, and encouraging social participation.