Prevalence and Determinants of Loneliness among Older Adults in Bangladesh

Background: The prevalence of loneliness confirms its commonness among older adults which leads to further functional declination, of physical and mental health along with disability and the last result is to be death. Thus, this study was undertaken with a view to examining the potential risk factors for loneliness in aging population in Bangladesh which is responsible for its prevalence. Methods: Data gathered for this cross-sectional study from 517 older adults’ older adults in Meherpur district, Bangladesh. The level of loneliness was assessed using short version (6-items) of De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale and the depression was measure with the help of 15-items geriatric depression scale (GDS). Chi-square test was run to find out the possible associated factors for loneliness and multivariate multinomial logistic regression model was performed to predict the significant risk factors. Results: The overall prevalence of loneliness found 54.3% whereas 41% felt ‘sometimes’ and 13.3% had feeling of ‘always’ loneliness. In bivariate model, except place of residence, all other selected characteristics were significantly associated with increasing of loneliness. In adjusted analysis, gender, marital status, living status, hearing-visual impairment, depression, concern about falling were found as the statistically significantly risk factors for causing of different degrees of loneliness. Conclusion: Study connotes the prevalence of loneliness among aged people of Bangladesh and their associated risk factors. Results of this study would be assistive to reduce the prevalence of loneliness and helpful for geriatric policy implications.