Multidimensional disparities, resisting inequities: A political ecology of aging in Uganda

Rishworth, Andrea; Elliott, Susan J.

doi:10.1016/j.geoforum.2022.06.009

Cited by 1 publication

(4 citation statements)

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“…Although older adults in Uganda were in close contact with family members, the younger generation may have little to share ( Golaz et al, 2017 ). Older adults in the Central Region of Uganda interviewed by Rishworth & Elliott (2022) , in the absence of help from their children, built peer groups to share resources and provide emotional support. But having to rely on friends, rather than family, may leave older adults feeling dissatisfied ( Brennan-Ing et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An expansion of Uganda’s pension system, currently accessible only to adults 80 years and older, could strengthen older adults both directly and indirectly, by bolstering the investment they can make in their household members ( Case & Menendez, 2007 ; Gelders & Athias, 2019 ). Pensions and other support are increasingly important in rural areas, as climate change disrupts crops and affects nutritional intake ( Rishworth & Elliott, 2022 ). In South Africa, rural areas may have an especially pressing need for formal services, but access to such services is not consistent within urban areas either ( Nxumalo et al, 2016 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In South Africa, rural areas may have an especially pressing need for formal services, but access to such services is not consistent within urban areas either ( Nxumalo et al, 2016 ). Both Uganda and South Africa have historically omitted older adults from the policy agenda, as significant social issues among the larger younger populations have taken precedence ( Goodrick & Pelser, 2014 ; Rishworth & Elliott, 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Study participants in Uganda had larger families and were more likely to be living with and caring for their children and/or grandchildren than their peers in South Africa. Overall, participants in Uganda described more help from friends and mutual assistance in the community, likely due in part to a high level of poverty and a lack of formal services ( Brennan-Ing et al, 2022 ; Rishworth & Elliott, 2022 ).…”

Section: Background and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Gender Differences in Social Support Vary by Environment Among Older People With HIV in South Africa and Uganda

Kaufman,

Brennan-Ing,

MacPhail

et al. 2023

Innovation in Aging

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Background and Objectives Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 3.7 million older adults living with HIV, who experience high rates of comorbid conditions. Formal services other than HIV clinical care are largely unavailable. Overall, women are the mainstay of informal social support networks, and older women with HIV may face burdens due to family caregiving expectations. Thus, it is important to understand the extent of informal support provided to older adults living with HIV, and how this is affected by gender. Research Design and Methods We examined differences in social networks, needs, social support and caregiving, and perceptions of support adequacy among women and men aged 50 and older living with HIV in Uganda (n = 101) and South Africa (n = 108), mostly rural and suburban populations, respectively. We used multiple regression to determine whether there was an association between gender and the amount of social support received and whether that varied by research site. Results Men were more likely than women to receive support from a partner. Women were more likely to live with offspring, both providing and receiving care. In South Africa but not Uganda, women received more help from family than men did. There was no gender difference in help from friends, but it was more common in Uganda. Living alone was strongly associated with less family help and more help from friends. Discussion and Implications Older women with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa tend to be more heavily involved in social support exchanges—both providing and receiving care—than their male peers, but place matters. Interdependence is high in rural Uganda, where formal services are scarce and needs exceed resources. Given the projected growth in this population, stronger formal supports are needed for communities and older people with HIV, especially those who live alone.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%