Prevalence of social isolation and loneliness by living arrangement among Mexican elderly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of social isolation (SI) and loneliness by sociodemographic, information and communication technologies use, health behavior, and health status among Mexican older adults (OA) living alone (LA) and those living with others (LWO) during the Covid-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Data from the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición Continua 2021 conducted in Mexico were analyzed. SI and loneliness were measured using internationally validated scales (LSNS-6 and TILS respectively). Analyses were conducted on adults aged 65 years and older, LA and LWO, considering the survey design.

RESULTS

Approximately 30% of OA in Mexico were LA in 2021. Among those LA, the percentage of widowhood, low well-being index and suicidal ideation were higher than in those LWO. SI prevalence was similarly high among individuals LA and those LWO (81.1 and 81.9% respectively), while loneliness prevalence was higher among individuals LA (51.5%) compared to those LWO (35.4%). Some differences in the characteristics of OA with higher prevalences of SI and loneliness were observed between those LA and those LWO.

CONCLUSION

Targeted interventions are needed to address SI and loneliness in OA, based on whether they are LA or LWO, while considering the vulnerabilities of each living arrangement.