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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
immunology and microbiology
Risk factors for non-communicable diseases among older adults in rural Africa
Tropical Medicine and International Health, Volume 16, No. 5, Year 2011
Notification
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Description
Objective To expand the evidence base on the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in rural Africa, in particular among older adults aged 50 and older. Methods Cross-sectional study in three rural sites in Malawi, Rwanda and Tanzania. One person was interviewed from each of 665 households selected through a stratified random sampling procedure across the three sites. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, smoking and alcohol intake as well as a food frequency questionnaire. Results Smoking rates among older men and women were higher than among adults under 50. While only 2.3% of women under 50 were current smokers, 21.0% of older women smoked (P<0.0001). Among men, 19.0% of men under 50 smoked versus 36.6% of older men (P=0.001). Alcohol consumption among older women aged 50 and older (45.0%) was more common (P=0.005) than among women under 50 (27.6%). Examining a set of five risk factors, more men aged 50 and older (49.5%) had two or more risk factors than men under 50 (25.5%) (P<0.0001). Similarly, 52.0% of women aged 50 and older had two or more risk factors, versus 24.1% of women under 50 (P<0.0001). Conclusion Contrary to what is seen in developed country settings, this study reveals high rates of smoking and alcohol consumption among men and women aged 50years and older in rural Africa that puts them at risk of NCDs. The health of older adults in rural Africa has been neglected, and these findings highlight the importance of reaching out to older adults with messaging regarding diet, smoking, alcohol use and general health. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Negin, Joel
Australia, Sydney
The University of Sydney School of Public Health
Cumming, Robert G.
Australia, Sydney
The University of Sydney School of Public Health
De Ramirez, Sarah Stewart
United States, Baltimore
Johns Hopkins University
Abimbola, Seye
Nigeria, Abuja
National Primary Health Care Development Agency
Sachs, Sonia Ehrlich
United States, New York
Earth Institute
Statistics
Citations: 61
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02739.x
ISSN:
13602276
e-ISSN:
13653156
Research Areas
Food Security
Noncommunicable Diseases
Substance Abuse
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Malawi
Rwanda
Tanzania
Participants Gender
Male
Female