Age and gender differences in health characteristics of older people with visual impairment

Africa's population is ageing, with an attendant increase in the number and duration of health problems such as visual impairment (VI). Few data are available from sub-Saharan Africa concerning age and gender differences in this population of people suffering from VI. The aim of this study was to examine age and gender differences in the health characteristics of older people with VI in Cameroon.

This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Douala, Cameroon, among people aged 55 and over. Participants had to be free of blindness, neurological disorders or other severe health problems. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected, including VI. We investigated differences between men and women in different age strata (< 65, 65-75, > 75 years) among people with VI.

Among 403 participants, 356 (88.3%) had VI and, regardless of age group, there were significantly more women, who lived alone, were professionally active, overweight, had frailty syndrome and were less likely to drive a car. For other variables (education, chronic alcoholism, cognitive impairment, basic and instrumental activities of daily living, depression and falls), differences between men and women were only significant in certain age groups, with women generally at higher risk.

The prevalence of VI is high older (> 55 years) adults in Cameroon, with clear differences between men and women. The oldest individuals, and women appear to be most vulnerable. The identification of at-risk groups/persons through this cross-sectional study should make it possible to adapt public health strategies to contribute to the WHO objective of healthy ageing.