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Greater Risk of Negative Health Outcomes of Older Adults Living Alone in Vietnam: A Community Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Man Thi Hue Vo

    (Department of Global Health Entrepreneurship, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan)

  • Keiko Nakamura

    (Department of Global Health Entrepreneurship, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan
    WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities and Urban Policy Research, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan)

  • Kaoruko Seino

    (Department of Global Health Entrepreneurship, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8519, Japan)

  • Thang Van Vo

    (Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 530000, Vietnam
    The Institute for Community Health Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue 530000, Vietnam)

Abstract

In modern Asian societies, there has been a shift in the living arrangements of older adults away from living with others. Knowing the health characteristics of individuals living alone can help identify high-risk groups. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe characteristics of the Vietnamese older adults and to investigate the association between living alone and their reported health outcomes by utilizing survey data of individuals aged ≥60 years in Vietnam in 2018. The community survey included questions about sociodemographic factors, living arrangement, and self-reported physical functional status. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine whether or not living alone was a predictor of health outcomes. Of 725 study participants, 8.9% lived alone. These participants were more likely to be female, aged 70–79 years, living in rural areas, and currently single or previously married. After adjusting for covariates, older adults who were living alone were more likely to have arthritis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–3.45), a history of falling (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.02–5.82), visual difficulties (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.04–3.41), feelings of loneliness (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.10–3.47), and high fear of falling (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.02–3.46). Older adults living alone in Vietnam were at greater risk of negative health consequences than those living with others. Screening and providing adequate social support for this specific population is important in preventing the adverse effects of solitary living among these older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Man Thi Hue Vo & Keiko Nakamura & Kaoruko Seino & Thang Van Vo, 2021. "Greater Risk of Negative Health Outcomes of Older Adults Living Alone in Vietnam: A Community Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-9, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11115-:d:662522
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan & John Knodel & Wiraporn Pothisiri, 2015. "What does living alone really mean for older persons? A comparative study of Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 32(48), pages 1329-1360.
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