Sociodemography and Family Support as Predictors of Nutrition: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Older Adults in a Tertiary Care Center, South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

The health and well-being of the older adults in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, are often neglected. Nutritional program interventions predominantly focus on newborns, children, teenagers, and expectant and nursing mothers. This study evaluated the sociodemographic characteristics and family support as predictors of nutritional status in the older population, as these factors are critical for identifying and implementing preventive interventions.

METHODS

This is a hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study involving 160 older adult participants (both male and female) aged 65-98 years, selected through systematic random sampling. Data analysis employed Chi-square tests, t -tests, and logistic regression, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

There was a 100% response rate in this study. The respondents had a mean age of 76.31 ± 8.34 years for males and 76.87 ± 7.47 years for females. The over-80-year-old, poorly educated, low-income-earning farmer who had no spouse and source of care, and who had to travel a longer distance for a source of food with limited availability of transport services was statistically and significantly more likely to be malnourished. Age (odds ratio [OR] = 3.794; 95% CI = 1.381-10.427), marital status (OR = 3.354; 95% CI = 1.197-9.399), and education (OR = 3.965; 95% CI = 1.146-13.719) independently predicted nutritional status.

CONCLUSION

Sociodemographic characteristics and family support substantially influenced the nutritional status of the older adults. The significant level of undernutrition observed emphasizes the need for advocacy to improve family support and the biopsychosocial, biomedical, and economic well-being of hospital-attending older adults to prevent nutritional decline.