Functional disability among elderly patients attending the General Outpatient clinics of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Population ageing is allied to an increase in chronic diseases and decreased functional independence. This study was conducted to assess the functional status of elderly patients attending the General Outpatient Clinic of Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria.

Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study where 319 elderly patients were systematically selected. Structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and functionality assessment tools were used to collect the necessary information. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21 statistical computer software.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 65±6, 7 years. The majority of the respondents were males (52.4%), Hausa (84.0%) and Muslims (89.7%). About 65.2% had no formal education and 53.2% lived in an extended family se????ng. Disability in ADL was 26.3% and 60.0% for IADL.

Conclusion: Functional disability in independent living within one's community is more affected than self-care. Older age is significantly associated with disabilities in both ADL and IADL while education and low income were significantly associated with functional disability in IADL