The health of Saudi older adults; results from the Saudi National Survey for Elderly Health (SNSEH) 2006-2015

• Main Authors: Abdullah T. Khoja (Author), Mohammad H. Aljawadi (Author), Sulaiman A. Al-Shammari (Author), Ashry G. Mohamed (Author), Hamad A. Al-Manaa (Author), Laura Morlock (Author), Saifuddin Ahmed (Author), Tawfik A.M. Khoja (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2018-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Objectives: To Describe the Saudi older adult (SOA) characteristics and Introduce the Saudi National Survey for Elderly Health (SNSEH). Methods: The SNSEH, a population-based nationally-representative survey, was used. Subjects were included in 2006-2007, using random-cluster sampling utilizing probability proportional to size approach, and followed-up to determine their vital status until June 2015. In the analyses, survey weights were incorporated. Parametric, non-parametric and logistic regression were used. Cox-proportional hazard regression was used to determine gender effects on mortality. Results: We included 2,946 SOA. The mean age was 70.1(SD = 0.3). Around, 70% were illiterate. Almost 50% had monthly income of 2500 (2007-Saudi-Riyals). The most reported diseases were hypertension, diabetes and joints pain. The most reported medications were over the counter, antidiabetics and antihypertensive. The nine-years age-adjusted death hazard was 42% higher in SOA males. Conclusion: This is an introductory paper for a series of papers that describe SOA health. These efforts will help in guiding the development of a national healthcare model for SOA, evidence-based health policies and public intervention programs that address SOA health-related issues.

Item Description

1319-0164
10.1016/j.jsps.2017.11.008