Geriatric care knowledge and its determinants in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Increasing numbers of older people in Africa will sharply raise demand for geriatric and long-term care. Healthcare professionals' knowledge of geriatric care is essential to improving care quality, yet studies across Africa report variable levels of knowledge. This study estimates the prevalence of geriatric care knowledge among African healthcare professionals and identifies its key determinants.

We conducted a comprehensive search for primary observational studies on geriatric care in Africa using PubMed, AJOL, Web of Science, and Hinari databases and grey literature. Data were extracted and organized in Microsoft Excel, then analyzed using R version 4.2.2 and Stata version 17.0. Pooled prevalence and odds ratios were estimated using a random effect model with 95% confidence intervals. Results are presented in tables, figures, and statements.

This study included 18 studies with 5,056 participants. The pooled prevalence of good geriatric care knowledge was 44% (95% CI: 33-55%). Its determinants were: level of education (POR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.36, 3.07), geriatriccare training (POR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.96, 4.69), work experience (POR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.75, 2.72) and living with older people at home (POR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.57, 2.79). No publication bias was detected in the analysis.

Only 44% of health professionals have good geriatric care knowledge, highlighting an urgent need to integrate geriatric content into pre-service curricula and on-the-job training, and to provide continuous and specialized education to strengthen capacity across African health systems.

PROSPERO: CRD42024608887. Registered on 14/11/2024.