Prevalence and Associated Factors of Successful Ageing among People 50 Years and Older in a National Community Sample in Thailand

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of successful ageing (SA) among people 50 years and older in Thailand. We analyzed national cross-sectional data (5092 men and women 50 years or older) from the Health, Aging and Retirement in Thailand (HART) study in 2015. The SA measures included (1) life satisfaction, (2) social engagement, (3) no major illness, (4) no probable depression, and (5) absence of functional disability. The sample included 5092 participants (median age 67 years, interquartile range 60 to 78 years). The prevalence of SA was 60.0% in adults 50 years and older, ranging from 43.8% in Krabi province to 80.2% in Pathum Thani province, 58.1% (≥60 years), and 56.3% (≥65 years), and the prevalence of the components of SA was 92.3% without major illness, 96.1% without functional disability, 87.5% without probable depression, 91.3% social engagement, and 82.3% high life satisfaction. In multivariable Poisson regression analysis, Buddhist religion (adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR): 1.50, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.25 to 1.79), high subjective economic status (aPR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.49), and physical activity (≥150 min/week) (aPR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.24) were positively associated and increasing age (aPR: 0.993, 95% CI: 0.989 to 0.997) was negatively associated with SA. Almost two in three older adults in Thailand were successfully ageing. Factors associated with SA included being Buddhist, younger age, higher subjective economic status, and higher engagement in physical activity. These identified factors should be incorporated into health promotion intervention programs in Thailand.

Bidirectional association between functional disability and multimorbidity among middle-aged and older adults in Thailand

“…Education was grouped into (1) no formal education, (2) elementary school, and (3) more than elementary school (middle school, high school, vocational diploma or 2-year diploma degree, bachelor's degree, or higher than bachelor's degree). “The income quartile was calculated based on annual income from employment, own business, agricultural/livestock/fishing business, short-term or contract work, financial support from family, remuneration/pension income from the government fund, occupational pension fund, private pension fund, social security/welfare income, income e from government living allowance, veteran's welfare benefit, other welfare assistance income, and income from other sources, into four groups 1 = 0 to <13,000 Thai Baht, 2 = 13,000 to <50,000, 3 = 50,000 to <140,000, 4 = ≥140,000 Thai Baht (Average exchange rate in 2015: 1 US=34.2 Baht)” ( 53 ).…”

“…Social engagement included six items of formal and one item of informal social engagement (defined as at least one activity in the past month) ( 53 , 57 ). Formal social engagement included religious, occupational, and cultural organizations; alumni or parent association or association of people from the same hometown; volunteer; and political organizations.…”

“…Responses were coded as “1 = daily to at least once a month” and “0 = once a year or never.” Informal social engagement was determined with the following questions: (1) “In the past year, do you have any close friends or relatives who live nearby and have a close relationship with? (Please refer to the only person whom you meet most often)” and (2) “If so, how often do you meet with them in person (number of times per day, week, month, year, other, never)?” Informal social engagement was defined as “1 = having a close friend or relative who lives nearby and have a close relationship with and having met that person at least in the past 1 month” and “0 = not having a close friend or relative or meeting a close friend less than once a month in the past year” ( 53 ).…”

“…(Please refer to the only person whom you meet most often)" and ( 2) "If so, how often do you meet with them in person (number of times per day, week, month, year, other, never)?" Informal social engagement was defined as "1 = having a close friend or relative who lives nearby and have a close relationship with and having met that person at least in the past 1 month" and "0 = not having a close friend or relative or meeting a close friend less than once a month in the past year" (53).…”

Prevalence and associated factors of cross-sectional and incident self-reported arthritis or rheumatism among a national community sample of middle-aged and older adults in Thailand

“…Sociodemographic information included age, sex, educational level, religion, and annual income quartile ( 30 ).…”