magnitude of unmet healthcare needs of the elderly in Temeke district by using the frailty index

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: It is uncertain if the frailty rate of the elderly population in Tanzania (7.3% to 19.1%) matches the rate of unmet health needs of this population; if it does, it will effectively aid in structuring strategic policy vision for their care. Objective: To estimate the magnitude of unmet healthcare needs of the elderly in Temeke District by using the frailty index as a determinant. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study of 237 elderly population (60+ years) in Temeke district determined the prevalence of unmet health needs using the frailty index. Using a stratified multiple and random sampling, we estimated the prevalence estimates presented by percentage and 95% Confidence Interval. Using IBM SPSS version 25, logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with unmet healthcare needs, presenting Odds Ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The mean age of participants was 69 years ±8SD, and 42.19% (n=100) were women. The prevalence of frailty was 5.06% (n=12;95%CI;2.9 - 8.6), while the proportion of unmet healthcare needs was statistically high at 51.05% (n=121;95%CI;44.7 – 57.6). Distance and transportation challenges were the main barriers to accessing healthcare. Conclusion: The prevalence of frailty was relatively low and may not be a good proxy measure of unmet healthcare needs. It is plausible that those with severe frailty are more likely to die early and, hence, affect the prevalence estimate. A multifaceted approach by a collaboration of health, social welfare, rural/urban development and legal sectors may be necessary to strategize how to estimate the health needs of elderly citizens, hence its use in the policy.