title: Predictors of subjective well-being among older Ghanaians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Later years of life are accompanied by many physical, emotional and environmental changes which may impact on the well-being of the individual. Many factors are known to influence the subjective well-being of older adults, but most, if not all of this information was the result of studies in the Western world. This study aimed at obtaining and documenting the predictors of subjective well-being (SWB) among older Ghanaians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for the study was obtained from the WHO SAGE study. The single item measure of life satisfaction was used to determine subjective well-being. Descriptive statistics as well as logistic regression analysis were carried out to determine the predictors of SWB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 4724 individuals aged 50 years and above responded to the questionnaires. Of these 50.4% were males. Following multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, sex, educational level, income and ethnic background were found to significantly affect the SWB of older Ghanaians. Being male was associated with higher level of SWB (OR=1.68; CI: 1.39 - 2.03). For those 50 years and above, being younger (50-59 years) was also associated with a high level of SWB (OR=17.72; CI: 10.13-30.98). Earning a low income and having low educational level were both associated with low levels of SWB (OR=0.304; CI: 0.22-0.42; and OR=0.47; CI: 0.37-0.60 respectively). Ewes (p=0.027), Grumas (p=0.002) and Mole-Dagbons (p=0.04) had significantly higher SWB compared to the other ethnic groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among older Ghanaians, factors that positively influence SWB are younger age, male sex, high educational level and high income.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana ; Public Health Unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: B N L
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Calys-Tagoe
authors.affiliation: University of Ghana Dental School, College of Health Sciences. University of Ghana.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hewlett
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dako-Gyeke
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana ; Public Health Unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Yawson
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana ; Public Health Unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Baddoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana ; Public Health Unit, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: N A H
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Seneadza
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana ; National Council Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Minicuci
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Multi-Country Studies unit, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Naidoo
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Multi-Country Studies unit, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chatterji
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization, Multi-Country Studies unit, Geneva, Switzerland ; University of Newcastle Research Centre on Gender, Health and Ageing, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kowal
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Biritwum
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Life satisfaction; Older Ghanaians; Predictors; SAGE study; Subjective well-being