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Gender Differences in Cognitive Impairment among Rural Elderly in China

Author

Listed:
  • Jing Wang

    (Faculty of Nursing, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 76# Yanta West Road, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Lily Dongxia Xiao

    (College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
    Xiang Ya Nursing School, Central South University, 172# Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, China)

  • Kai Wang

    (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 13# HangKong Road, Wuhan 430030, China)

  • Yan Luo

    (Faculty of Nursing, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 76# Yanta West Road, Xi’an 710061, China)

  • Xiaomei Li

    (Faculty of Nursing, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, 76# Yanta West Road, Xi’an 710061, China)

Abstract

Elders in rural areas of developing countries are particularly vulnerable to cognitive impairment and gender disparities are notable. Yet, evidence related to gender differences in cognitive impairment in these settings is scarce. This study examined gender differences in cognitive impairment among elderly people aged 65 and above in rural China. A multi-site cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 550 males and 700 females were recruited. The Chinese version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination was applied for cognitive impairment screening. Demographic information, lifestyle factors, psychosocial factors, and health-related information were assessed. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 40.0%in males and 45.1% in females, respectively. Females showed significant higher prevalence after age 75 (62.7% vs. 45.4%, p < 0.005). Older age, hearing impairment, and activities of daily living dependence were common factors associated with cognitive impairment in both females and males. For males, living in a neighborhood with poor social interactions and diabetes were risk factors, while tea consumption was a protective factor. For females, vision impairment and illiteracy were additional risk factors. Individualized interventions and standardized measurements of cognitive function should be developed to suit older populations living in rural and less-developed areas, through collective efforts involving all stakeholders and multidisciplinary teamwork.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Wang & Lily Dongxia Xiao & Kai Wang & Yan Luo & Xiaomei Li, 2020. "Gender Differences in Cognitive Impairment among Rural Elderly in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3724-:d:362576
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eileen M CrimminsPhD & Yasuhiko SaitoPhD & Jung Ki KimPhD & Yuan S ZhangMS & Isaac SassonPhD & Mark D HaywardPhD, 2018. "Educational Differences in the Prevalence of Dementia and Life Expectancy with Dementia: Changes from 2000 to 2010," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(suppl_1), pages 20-28.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuehong Qiu & Zeming Deng & Chujuan Jiang & Kaigong Wei & Lijun Zhu & Jieting Zhang & Can Jiao, 2022. "The Associations of Meteorological and Environmental Factors with Memory Function of the Older Age in Urban Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Jin Wang & Nan Liu & Xiaoguang Zhao, 2022. "Association of Playing Cards or Mahjong with Cognitive Function in Chinese Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-11, July.
    3. Kuniyoshi Toyoshima & Takeshi Inoue & Toshiaki Baba & Jiro Masuya & Masahiko Ichiki & Yota Fujimura & Ichiro Kusumi, 2021. "Associations of Cognitive Complaints and Depressive Symptoms with Health-Related Quality of Life and Perceived Overall Health in Japanese Adult Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Yuxiao Gao & Youhua Wang & Tao Rao, 2022. "The Effect of the Dwelling Environment on Rural Elderly Cognition: Empirical Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-14, December.

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