Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa
Background The prevalence of chronic diseases is high among the older population. Awareness of these conditions is a crucial prerequisite to initiate treatment, control and prevent further complications. This study evaluates sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic diseases among people...
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BMJ Publishing Group
2024-04-01
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| Series: | BMJ Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000315.full |
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| author | Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé Chodziwadziwa Kabudula Carlos Riumallo-Herl Daniel Ohene-Kwofie |
| author_facet | Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé Chodziwadziwa Kabudula Carlos Riumallo-Herl Daniel Ohene-Kwofie |
| author_sort | Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background The prevalence of chronic diseases is high among the older population. Awareness of these conditions is a crucial prerequisite to initiate treatment, control and prevent further complications. This study evaluates sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic diseases among people 40 years and over in rural South Africa.Methods Data from the baseline survey of the Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa were analysed to estimate the level of awareness of chronic conditions such as HIV, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia among the population 40+ years. We compare self-reported awareness with objective measurements and conduct logistic regressions to evaluate sociodemographic determinants of awareness of chronic conditions.Results We find that 80% of individuals have at least one chronic condition—HIV, diabetes, hypertension and/or dyslipidaemia. Awareness rates were relatively high among those with at least one chronic condition but varied across conditions and genders: HIV (83% for women, 84% for men), hypertension (88% of women, 81% of men); diabetes (76% for women, 75% for men); dyslipidaemia (10% for both women and men). We observe differences across individual, household and community factors. Generally, women are more aware of their condition; awareness increases with age except for HIV; persons from high consumption per capita households, living with one or more persons and living closer to a health facility are more likely to be aware of their conditions.Conclusions Older adults in rural South Africa are generally aware of their chronic conditions, though there are important differences by age, gender and socioeconomic status. However, there is still a fraction unaware of their conditions and, therefore, lacking the necessary information to initiate treatment and implement behavioural changes to control them. Our findings may guide policy-makers directing the required efforts to promote targeted awareness campaigns by sociodemographic/socioeconomic subgroups. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e8303abac5e443fd9881a2817eac6497 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2753-4294 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e8303abac5e443fd9881a2817eac64972025-01-29T02:00:10ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Public Health2753-42942024-04-012110.1136/bmjph-2023-000315Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South AfricaFrancesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé0Chodziwadziwa Kabudula1Carlos Riumallo-Herl2Daniel Ohene-Kwofie3MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaMRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaApplied Economics, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The NetherlandsMRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South AfricaBackground The prevalence of chronic diseases is high among the older population. Awareness of these conditions is a crucial prerequisite to initiate treatment, control and prevent further complications. This study evaluates sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic diseases among people 40 years and over in rural South Africa.Methods Data from the baseline survey of the Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa were analysed to estimate the level of awareness of chronic conditions such as HIV, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia among the population 40+ years. We compare self-reported awareness with objective measurements and conduct logistic regressions to evaluate sociodemographic determinants of awareness of chronic conditions.Results We find that 80% of individuals have at least one chronic condition—HIV, diabetes, hypertension and/or dyslipidaemia. Awareness rates were relatively high among those with at least one chronic condition but varied across conditions and genders: HIV (83% for women, 84% for men), hypertension (88% of women, 81% of men); diabetes (76% for women, 75% for men); dyslipidaemia (10% for both women and men). We observe differences across individual, household and community factors. Generally, women are more aware of their condition; awareness increases with age except for HIV; persons from high consumption per capita households, living with one or more persons and living closer to a health facility are more likely to be aware of their conditions.Conclusions Older adults in rural South Africa are generally aware of their chronic conditions, though there are important differences by age, gender and socioeconomic status. However, there is still a fraction unaware of their conditions and, therefore, lacking the necessary information to initiate treatment and implement behavioural changes to control them. Our findings may guide policy-makers directing the required efforts to promote targeted awareness campaigns by sociodemographic/socioeconomic subgroups.https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000315.full |
| spellingShingle | Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé Chodziwadziwa Kabudula Carlos Riumallo-Herl Daniel Ohene-Kwofie Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa BMJ Public Health |
| title | Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa |
| title_full | Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa |
| title_short | Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa |
| title_sort | sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions an observational study among older persons in rural north east of south africa |
| url | https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000315.full |
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