title: The prevalence of disability in older people in Hai, Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  the World Health Organization estimates that more than one billion of the world's population are disabled. Disability is associated with increasing age and poverty, yet there are few reliable data regarding disability among the elderly in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to accurately document the prevalence of disability in those aged 70 years and over in a community-based setting in sub-Saharan Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  we performed a community-based study of people aged 70 years and over in Hai, Tanzania. Participants underwent disability assessment using the culturally non-specific Barthel index (BI), and also clinical assessment for neurological disorders and memory problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  in 2,232 participants, the age-adjusted prevalence of severe disability (BI<15) was 3.7% (95% CI: 2.9-4.5) and the age-adjusted prevalence of moderate disability (BI: 15-18) was 6.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.2-7.2]. Increasing age, female gender, memory problems and the presence of neurological disorders were all independent predictors of the presence of disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  in this study, the average disability level was lower than seen in most high-income countries. This may reflect increased mortality from disabling disease in low-income countries. Disability is likely to increase as the population of low-income countries ages and disease survival improves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE29 8NH, UK. drfelicitywerrett@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Felicity
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dewhurst
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dewhurst
authors.forename: William K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Golda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orega
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Howlett
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaote
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dotchin
authors.forename: Anna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Longdon
authors.forename: Stella-Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Paddick
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology