Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Disability and Functional Limitation among Elderly Rural Population in Nigeria

Background. The number of people surviving into old age is increasing, and it has now become a global phenomenon. Studies on the prevalence and correlates of physical disability and functional limitation among elderly Nigerians are scanty. Methodology. This is a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in 3 local government areas (LGAs) in Nigeria, using a multistage sampling technique. Functional limitations of 1824 elderly persons were tested using Tinetti performance-oriented mobility assessment tool (TPOMAT) and self-reported activities of daily living (ADL). ADL disability of ten, six, and five basic items were compared. Results. The prevalence ratios (PRs) of physical disability using the ten, six, and five basic ADL items were 28.3 (95% CI 25.2-31. 5), 15.7 (95% CI 13.4-19.8), and 12.1 (95% CI 9.8-15.3), respectively, while functional limitation was 22.5 (95% CI 18.1-24.4). Increased risk of disability was independently associated with female gender PR 3.6 (95% CI 1.5-7.4), advanced age ≥75 years; PR 22.2 (95% CI 14.5, 36.8), arthritis PR 3.7 (95% CI 2.6-4.6), stroke PR 4.8 (95% CI 3.7-7.9) and diabetes PR 6.1 (95% CI 4.3-7.1). Conclusions. The findings from this study are pointers to unmet needs of the elderly disabled Nigerians.