Abstract
Objectives: The interface of dementia and physical disability is poorly characterized in the elderly population. We used the 2017-2018 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) (PKPR71FL) to investigate the prevalence and interface of dementia and physical disability in Pakistan. Study design: A cross-sectional study design was used by analyzing the latest DHS conducted for Pakistan from 22 November 2017 to 30 April 2018. Methods: We used Gamma correlation to evaluate the effects of several demographic and socioeconomic factors on dementia and physical disability in 2,899 males and 2,284 females. Results: The prevalence of both forms of disabilities increased with advancing age with a higher preponderance among females. Being unmarried, not educated, having a smaller household, and poverty was associated with a greater disability. Having four or more children was associated with a higher disability in men but lower disability in women. The prevalence of disability was highest in Punjab and lowest in Balochistan. Conclusion: Altogether, we describe several factors associated with the burden of disability in Pakistan. Community-based interventions are recommended to reduce the disability of the elderly in Pakistan.
Subject
General Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics,General Immunology and Microbiology,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine