title: Social isolation in older Malaysians: prevalence and risk factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social isolation is one of the most important emerging issues among ageing populations, as it reduces well-being, health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify prevalence and risk factors of social isolation in older Malaysians.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample for this study was drawn from a national survey entitled 'Patterns of Social Relationships and Psychological Well-Being among Older Persons in Peninsular Malaysia'. Social isolation was measured with the Lubben Social Network Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings from the present study showed that 49.8% of older Malaysians are at risk for social isolation. The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of sons, number of brothers, number of sisters, household size, self-rated health, place of residence, home ownership, sex and ethnicity were significantly associated with social isolation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings may have some implications for social and health-care policymakers in planning and developing new and effective interventions such as educational programmes to reduce social isolation among this vulnerable population.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia. imahibrahim@putra.upm.edu.my
authors.forename: Rahimah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: Yadollah
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Abolfathi Momtaz
authors.forename: Tengku Aizan
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hamid
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Malaysia; aged; prevalence; social isolation