William K Gray1, Golda Orega2, Aloyce Kisoli3, Jane Rogathi2, Stella-Maria Paddick1,4, Anna R Longdon5, Richard W Walker1,6, Felicity Dewhurst1,6, Matthew Dewhurst1,6, Paul Chaote3, Catherine Dotchin1,7. 1. a Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust , North Tyneside General Hospital , North Shields , UK. 2. b Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre , Moshi , Tanzania. 3. c Hai District Medical Centre, Boman'gombe , Kilimanjaro , Tanzania. 4. d Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , Royal Victoria Infirmary , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK. 5. e South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust , Torquay , UK. 6. f Institute of Health and Society , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK. 7. g Institute for Ageing , Newcastle University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.
Abstract
Background/Study Context: Interest in frailty is growing in low- and middle-income countries, due to demographic aging and resource limitations. However, there is a paucity of data on the nature of frailty in Africa. METHODS: The study collected frailty data from people aged 70 years and over living in six villages in the rural Hai District of northern Tanzania. At baseline, a limited data set was collected for 1198 people and a more comprehensive data set for a stratified sample of 296 people. A 40-item frailty index was constructed. Data regarding mortality and dependency were collected at 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: A higher frailty index score was significantly correlated with greater age, never having attended school, falls, mortality, and dependency in activities of daily living. Logistic regression modeling revealed functional disability and cognitive function to be significant independent predictors of the outcome "mortality or dependency." CONCLUSIONS: In resource-poor settings, brief frailty screening assessments may be a useful way of identifying those most in need of support.
Background/Study Context: Interest in frailty is growing in low- and middle-income countries, due to demographic aging and resource limitations. However, there is a paucity of data on the nature of frailty in Africa. METHODS: The study collected frailty data from people aged 70 years and over living in six villages in the rural Hai District of northern Tanzania. At baseline, a limited data set was collected for 1198 people and a more comprehensive data set for a stratified sample of 296 people. A 40-item frailty index was constructed. Data regarding mortality and dependency were collected at 3-year follow-up. RESULTS: A higher frailty index score was significantly correlated with greater age, never having attended school, falls, mortality, and dependency in activities of daily living. Logistic regression modeling revealed functional disability and cognitive function to be significant independent predictors of the outcome "mortality or dependency." CONCLUSIONS: In resource-poor settings, brief frailty screening assessments may be a useful way of identifying those most in need of support.
Authors: Clare Bristow; Grace George; Grace Hillsmith; Emma Rainey; Sarah Urasa; Sengua Koipapi; Aloyce Kisoli; Japhet Boni; Grace Anderson Saria; Sherika Ranasinghe; Marcella Joseph; William K Gray; Marieke Dekker; Richard W Walker; Catherine L Dotchin; Elizabeta Mukaetova-Ladinska; William Howlett; Philip Makupa; Stella-Maria Paddick Journal: J Neurovirol Date: 2021-01-11 Impact factor: 2.643
Authors: Dhammika D Siriwardhana; Sarah Hardoon; Greta Rait; Manuj C Weerasinghe; Kate R Walters Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-03-01 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Emma Grace Lewis; William K Gray; Richard Walker; Sarah Urasa; Miles Witham; Catherine Dotchin Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-10-14 Impact factor: 4.135
Authors: Fiona Cooper; Emma Grace Lewis; Sarah Urasa; Louise Whitton; Harry Collin; Selina Coles; Greta Karen Wood; Ali Mohamed Ali; Deborah Mdegella; Joyce Mkodo; Francis Zerd; Catherine Dotchin; William K Gray; Richard W Walker Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2022-10-06 Impact factor: 6.591
Authors: Emma Grace Lewis; Selina Coles; Kate Howorth; John Kissima; William Gray; Sarah Urasa; Richard Walker; Catherine Dotchin Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2018-11-16 Impact factor: 3.921