Loneliness among older persons in Uganda: examining social, economic and demographic risk factors

Abstract

Later-life loneliness is becoming an area of great concern in Uganda in light of gradual weakening of extended family as a source of old-age human support. Although information about the effects of feeling lonely exists, little is known about the associated risk factors within the country's social and cultural setting. This paper discusses prevalence and correlates of feeling lonely among older persons. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on 605 older persons in a 2012 cross-sectional study. Respondents were asked to evaluate how they felt in terms of loneliness during the administration of the questionnaire. A total of ten focus group discussions and 12 key informant interviews were also conducted to collect qualitative data. Binary logistic regression was used to predict factors affecting loneliness. Findings indicate that approximately seven in ten older persons felt lonely. Elderly people residing in the urban area were more likely to be lonely than their counterparts staying in the rural environment. In comparison with married older persons, elderly people who were widowed were more likely to be lonely. Absence of a television and pension benefits and prevalence of limb joint ill-health predicted loneliness. The findings have several implications, including developing age-friendly urban centres, encouraging old-age social organisations, decentralising the elderly health-care system and establishing a special old-age fund.

Getting Old Well in Sub Saharan Africa: Exploring the Social and Structural Drivers of Subjective Wellbeing among Elderly Men and Women in Uganda

“…Studies commonly indicate that compared to seniors in urban localities, those in rural areas have significantly enhanced SWB compared to their urban counterparts due to the positive effects of social networks and support systems [44][45][46]. However, as younger populations increasingly migrate to urban localities in Uganda [18][19][20], it is unclear whether this relationship between SWB and urban-rural localities will remain consistent.…”

“…Examining these issues in the Ugandan context is particularly important given that the current cohort of older adults are living longer, yet with minimal social, economic or institutional assistance [16,17]. In Uganda, seniors are affected by a range of interpersonal, community and structural factors, such as waning social support and interpersonal connections, care for patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), poor health infrastructure and growing economic disparities [18][19][20]. At the same time, studies indicate that seniors are particularly challenged due to declines in socioeconomic status, household wealth and pension support [21,22].…”

Understanding the vulnerability of older adults: extent of and breaches in support systems in Uganda

“…Disabilities and ill health among older people were obtained using Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) data (Wandera et al 2014, 2015). Perceptions related to old age (Najjumba-Mulindwa 2003) and the feeling of loneliness among older people (Nzabona, Ntozi and Rutaremwa 2015) were analysed through specific quantitative surveys in different parts of the country. These studies all point to important regional variations in the situation of older people, their residential arrangements and possible social isolation.…”

Intergenerational Community-Based Research and Creative Practice: Promoting Environmental Sustainability in Jinja, Uganda

“…Issues affecting children and youth are recognized as major development priorities, with elected officials regularly championing policies attractive to young people (e.g., tackling unemployment through job creation), fueling a sense of political marginalization among the older generation. While rates of poverty are high throughout Uganda, deprivation and marginalization are seemingly becoming particularly acute for many older people (see Golaz, Ojiambo Wandera, & Rutaremwa, 2015;Nankwanga, Neema, & Phillips, 2013;Nyanzi, 2011;Nzabona, Ntozi, & Rutaremwa, 2016;Seeley et al, 2010;Ssengonzi, 2009). Issues affecting older people-including ill health, hunger, and loneliness-are growing concerns for a range of stakeholders.…”