Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Frailty is a multidimensional geriatric condition that increases vulnerability to
stressors, increases the risk of negative health outcomes, and lowers quality of life in older
people. It is becoming one of the most difficult challenges for health care in an aging society.
However, little attention has been paid to frailty in developing countries, particularly in Ethiopia,
which has not been addressed. Therefore, this study is crucial to clearly state the prevalence and
identify the contributing factors of frailty.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of frailty among community dweller
older adults living in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from April to June
2022. A total of 607 study participants were included using a single cluster sampling technique.
Data was collected by interviewing the participants using a structured questionnaire, and a
pretest was conducted. Tilburg frailty indicator was used to measure frailty, older adults
considered as frail if s/he scores ?5 in this scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics,
binary and multivariate logistic. Variables with a P-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariable
logistic regression were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Finally, variables
with an odds ratio, a 95% confidence interval, and a P value less than 0.05 had a significant
association were reported.
Results: In this study the overall prevalence of frailty among older adults was 39% (CI 95%,
35.51-43.1). Older age (AOR=6.26 CI (3.41-11.48), presence of two or more morbidity (AOR =
6.05 CI (3.51-10.43), activity of daily life dependency (AOR = 4.12 CI (2.49-6.80), and
depression (AOR = 2.68 CI (1.55-4.63) were found to be significant factors.
Conclusion: The prevalence of frailty was found to be remarkable, and we can conclude that
frailty should be recognized as a public health priority among older adults in study area. Being
old age, having two more morbidity, activity of daily life dependency and depression were
associated factors for frailty. Therefore, it is important to focus on educating the older adult
population about healthy aging and orienting them on these modifiable risk factors should be
considered to mitigate the problem.
Key words: Prevalence, frailty, older adults, Ethiopia
