title: Health problems and socio-demographic findings in elderly Nigerians.
abstract: Nine hundred and fifty-one persons aged 60 years and over, living at home in four locations in southwestern Nigeria were studied. The cohort representing urban and rural dwellers, constituted 7.8% of the total population. Female residents had higher widowhood rates and lower levels of educational attainment than males. Multigenerational living arrangements were popular. Ninety-five percent of the cohort had no physical impairment on assessment of activities of daily life. Only 6.4% were on a regular pension (males more than females, P < 0.001) and income for 75% was less than the estimated poverty line (females more than males P < 0.001). Estimated crude death rate was also higher than the national average. The effects of these socio-demographic factors on health are diverse. Comparisons were made with similar studies in other cultures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Baiyewu
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Bella
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Adeyemi
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Bamgboye
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Jegede
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004813:Epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010415:Pensions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017805:Widowhood / Q000706:statistics & numerical data