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E.M. Anieto1,2, A. Okoh2, O. Akinrolie3,2, B. Ojembe4,2, E. Nwachukwu2, M. Ibekaku2, O. Okeke5,2, H. Nwankwo6,2, M. Ajulo2, I. Adandom7,2, C. Omeje2, E. Uduonu8,2, C. Ezulike9,2, E. Diaemeta10,2, P. Obi11,2, M.E. Kalu12,2
1University of Cape Town, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa, 2Emerging Researchers & Professionals in Ageing-African Network, Enugu, Nigeria, 3University of Manitoba, Department of Physical Therapy, Winnipeg, Canada, 4McMaster University, Department of Health Aging & Society, Hamilton, Canada, 5Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Awka, Nigeria, 6Mackenzie Physiotherapy Clinic, Abuja, Nigeria, 7Cedacrest Hospitals, Department of Physiotherapy, Abuja, Nigeria, 8University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Enugu, Nigeria, 9City University of Hong Kong, Social and Behavioural Sciences Department, Hong Kong, China, 10Humanity Hospital Limited, Department of Physiotherapy, Delta, Nigeria, 11Peak Wellness Centre, Abuja, Nigeria, 12McMaster University, School of Rehabilitation Science, Hamilton, Canada
Background: The population is ageing across the globe. The projected growth rate of the older population in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the 2040s will be faster than that experienced by any other regions since 1950. As a result, setting priorities for ageing research and practice in this region is warranted, and the first approach was a mapping review that summarised the type and trends of ageing research in the SSA region.
Purpose: To summarize the current state and thread of ageing research in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods: This systematic mapping review followed the Search-Appraisal-Synthesis-Analysis Framework. We systematically searched multiple databases from inception till Dec 2019 and included peer-reviewed studies conducted with/for older adults residing in SSA. Conventional content analysis was employed to categorize studies into subject areas.
Results: We included 457 studies (quantitative= 377, qualitative=66 and mixed method=14). Studies were conducted in 26 countries of which 52% were conducted in South Africa. Quantitative studies included were mostly cross-sectional (n= 197, 52%), longitudinal (n= 58, 15%), cohort studies (n= 21, 6%), case-control (n= 21, 6%), and randomised control trial (n=9, 2%). Fifteen studies did not state their qualitative study design. Where Stated, descriptive (n=13, 20%), ethnography (n=13, 20%), grounded theory (n=6, 9%), narrative (n=5, 7%), phenomenology (n=8, 12%), interpretative exploratory (n=3, 5%), case studies (n=3, 5%). Of the 13 mixed method studies, six did not state the type of their mixed method. Where stated, design includes concurrent (n=1), convergent (n=1), cross-sectional (n=3), informative (n=1) and retrospective (n=2). Most of the studies were conducted in health and social sciences and focused mostly on HIV/AIDs-related studies and non-communicable diseases related studies (for quantitative studies only).
Conclusion(s): There is evidence of gap in ageing research in sub-sub-Saharan African.
Implications: There are needs to co-develop interventions with older adults/relatives and other stakeholders while using high-quality randomized control trials to test such intervention. Qualitative studies should include more highly ranked qualitative evidence that allows for the development of a conceptual framework of patient experience that could guide clinical/research decision-making. There is a need for a multidisciplinary synergy in the synthesis of ageing research in sub-Saharan African.
Funding, acknowledgements: No funding.
Keywords: Ageing research, Older adults, Systematic mapping review
Topic: Older people
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Institution: N/A
Committee: N/A
Reason: The study is a systematic mapping review, which do not require ethical approval.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
