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Physical Function in an Aging Population in Rural South Africa: Findings From HAALSI and Cross-National Comparisons With HRS Sister Studies

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  • Collin F. Payne
  • Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé
  • Kathleen Kahn
  • Lisa Berkman

Abstract

Objectives:We use recently-collected data from the Health and Aging in Africa: a Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa (HAALSI) cohort from Agincourt, South Africa, to describe physical functioning in this aging population, and place the overall level and age-trajectories of physical health in the context of other Health and Retirement Study (HRS) sister studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).Method:We conduct multiple regression to estimate associations of physical functioning assessed from both self-report (activities of daily living [ADL] limitation, self-reported health) and performance (grip strength, gait speed) with socio-demographic and health characteristics in HAALSI, and use fully-interacted regression models to compare age-patterns of physical functioning outcomes cross-nationally.Results:Gender differences in self-reported health are minimal, and men had 30% higher odds of being ADL limited controlling for socio-demographic and health characteristics. Measured physical performance is closely tied with socioeconomic conditions, but self-reported measures have a much smaller or weaker socioeconomic gradient. In international age-adjusted comparisons, the HAALSI sample had lower physical performance outcomes than most comparison populations.Discussion:As the first HRS sister study undertaken in Africa, HAALSI adds vital information on population aging and health in the region. Continuing waves of HAALSI data will be a key resource for understanding differences in the complex processes of disability across LMIC contexts.

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  • Collin F. Payne & Francesc Xavier Gómez-Olivé & Kathleen Kahn & Lisa Berkman, 2017. "Physical Function in an Aging Population in Rural South Africa: Findings From HAALSI and Cross-National Comparisons With HRS Sister Studies," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(4), pages 665-679.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:72:y:2017:i:4:p:665-679.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Noreen Goldman & Dana Glei & Luis Rosero-Bixby & Shu-Ti Chiou & Maxine Weinstein, 2014. "Self-Reported Versus Performance-Based Measures of Physical Function," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 30(7), pages 227-252.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kathryn Hale & Truls Østbye & Bilesha Perera & Robert Bradley & Joanna Maselko, 2019. "A Novel Adaptation of the HOME Inventory for Elders: The Importance of the Home Environment Across the Life Course," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Simone A. Tomaz & Justine I. Davies & Lisa K. Micklesfield & Alisha N. Wade & Kathleen Kahn & Stephen M. Tollman & Catherine E. Draper & Miles D. Witham, 2020. "Self-Reported Physical Activity in Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Rural South Africa: Levels and Correlates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, August.
    3. Kobayashi, Lindsay C. & Glymour, M. Maria & Kahn, Kathleen & Payne, Collin F. & Wagner, Ryan G. & Montana, Livia & Mateen, Farrah J. & Tollman, Stephen M. & Berkman, Lisa F., 2017. "Childhood deprivation and later-life cognitive function in a population-based study of older rural South Africans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 20-28.
    4. Madeline E. Duhon & Edward Miguel & Amos Njuguna & Daniela Pinto Veizaga & Michael W. Walker, 2023. "Preparing for an Aging Africa: Data-Driven Priorities for Economic Research and Policy," NBER Working Papers 31750, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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