Thumbnail Image
Item

Exploring the health status of older persons in Sub Saharan Africa

Audain, Keiron A.
; 
Carr, Michelle
; 
Dikmen, Derya
; 
Zotor, Francis B.
; 
Ellahi, Basma
Citations
Altmetric:
Advisors
Editors
Other Contributors
Affiliation
University of Zambia; University of Chester; Hacettepe University; University of Health and Allied Science; University of Chester
EPub Date
Publication Date
2017-05-10
Submitted Date
Collections
Health and Social Care
Show all metadata
Files
Thumbnail Image
Main article
Microsoft Word XML, 49.21 KB
Other Titles
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa has traditionally had a low life expectancy due to the onslaught of the HIV epidemic, high levels of chronic diseases, injuries, conflict and undernutrition. Therefore, research into public health concerns of older persons has largely been overlooked. With a growing population, the roll-out of antiretroviral treatment, and the effects of globalisation; Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing an increase in the number of people over 50 years of age as well as an increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The aim of this review is to highlight available research on the health status of older persons in Sub-Saharan Africa, and to identify the current gaps that warrant further investigation. A literature search was conducted across multiple databases to identify studies in Sub-Saharan Africa on older persons (aged 50 years and older) related to health indicators including nutritional status, non-communicable diseases and HIV burden. Whilst it was concluded that older persons are at an increased risk of poor health, it was also determined that significant gaps exist in this particular area of research; namely nutrient deficiency prevalence. Resources should be directed towards identifying the health concerns of older persons and developing appropriate interventions.
Citation
Audain, K., Carr, M., Dikmen, D., Zotor, F., & Ellahi, B. (2017). Exploring the health status of older persons in Sub Saharan Africa. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76(4), 574-579. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665117000398
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Journal
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society
Research Unit
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10034/620473
DOI
10.1017/S0029665117000398
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
en
Description
Series/Report no.
ISSN
EISSN
1475-2719
ISBN
ISMN
Gov't Doc
Test Link
Sponsors
Additional Links
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/proceedings-of-the-nutrition-society/article/exploring-the-health-status-of-older-persons-in-subsaharan-africa/58B47AB3069E7B8A0CF6A7B093F5F088
Embedded videos