title: Living Conditions, Low Socioeconomic Position, and Mortality in the Ibadan Study of Aging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Very little is known about socioeconomic differentials in mortality among persons surviving to old age in sub-Saharan Africa. We report on the impact of low socioeconomic position (SEP) on mortality over a 5-year observation period among community-dwelling older adults living in southwestern Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data are from a household multistage probability sample of 2,149 Yoruba Nigerians aged 65 years or older. We collected information on indices related to health and well-being at baseline (2003/2004). Socioeconomic positions were estimated using asset-based measures relevant to low income settings. Information on mortality was obtained by research supervisors in multiple waves (2007, 2008, and 2009). Associations between baseline covariates and mortality were explored using discrete time survival models and life tables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We recorded 357 deaths over 5 years, or an annual mortality rate of 4.7% (95% CI = 4.2-5.2). Being 80 years or older (HR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.5) and belonging to the lowest SEP (HR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1) were the main predictors of mortality. The significant effect of lowest SEP on mortality risk over the study period was independent of age, gender, education, rural or urban residence, weight, physical activity level, and social engagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this sample of older persons living in an economically disadvantaged context, we found persistent socioeconomic differentials in mortality estimated, conservatively, over 5 years.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience, and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ojagbemi
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience, and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Toyin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University,East Lansing.
authors.forename: Zhehui
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience, and Substance Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oye
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gureje
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012924:Social Conditions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Life expectancy; Risk factors; Social welfare; Wealth Index