Background Physical activity (PA), fear of falling (FOF) and quality of life (QOL) are very important constructs in geriatrics. The interplay among these constructs may vary between community-dwelling and assisted-living older adults. However, studies comparing the wellbeing of community-dwelling older adults with those residing in the assisted-living facilities (ALFs) are rather rare especially from developing countries. This study was aimed at comparing PA, FOF and QOL between assisted-living and community-dwelling older adults and also determining the correlations amongst the constructs for each group. Methods This cross-sectional survey involved consecutively sampled 114 older adults (≥65 years, ambulant and well-oriented in time, place and person) residing in conveniently selected ALFs (11.3% males) and adjoining communities (54.1% males). PA, FOF and QOL were evaluated using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly, the Modified Fall Efficacy Scale and the Short-form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire respectively. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, analysis of covariance and Spearman rank-order correlation test at 0.05 level of significance. Results Participants from the ALFs had significantly lower domain and overall PA (F=5.6–103.34; p< 0.05) and QOL (F=11.12–118.05; p< 0,05) scores than community-dwelling groups. FOF was significantly more prevalent in assisted-living group (p< 0.05). There were significant positive correlations (p< 0.05) between each pair of PA, FOF and QOL for both assisted-living and community-dwelling groups. Conclusions Older adults in the ALFs had lower PA and QOL scores with higher prevalence of FOF than their community-dwelling counterparts. Significant relationships existed between PA, FOF and QOL for participants in either group. Present results may be suggesting that ageing in place ensures better health outcomes than institutionalised ageing. Whenever possible, older adults should therefore be encouraged to age in place rather than moving into ALFs.

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Background Community reintegration is one of the most important elements of disability rehabilitation globally. Hence, there is need for availability of psychometrically-sound and culturally-specific instruments for its measurement. Most of the available community reintegration measures were developed and validated in developed countries and might therefore not be suitable for use in developing countries. This study was aimed at cross-culturally adapting and validating the original English visual analogue scale version of the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI) into Igbo Language and culture among people with mobility disability in Igbo land, Southeast Nigeria. The English version of the RNLI was cross-culturally adapted to Igbo following the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ guideline. The RNLI was translated into Igbo Language, synthesized, back translated, and subsequently subjected to expert panel review, pretesting and cognitive debriefing interview. The final Igbo version of the RNLI was tested for internal consistency and construct validity in a sample of 102 consenting participants (61.8% males; 46.92 ± 20.91 years) recruited from conveniently sampled clinics and rehabilitation centres in Anambra and Enugu States of South-Eastern Nigeria. The construct (concurrent) validity was evaluated using Spearman rank correlation, scatter plot and Mann-Whitney U test while the internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha at alpha level of 0.05. Results The RNLI was successfully cross-culturally adapted to Igbo with all the 11 items still retained. The mean total score of the participants on the RNLI was 58.62 ± 21.25. The internal consistency coefficient (α = 0.84) of Igbo version of the RNLI was excellent. The Spearman correlation coefficients between the participants’ total, subscale and domain scores on the Igbo and the English versions of the RNLI (r = 0.81–0.95) were excellent. There was no significant difference between corresponding scores in the English and Igbo versions of the RNLI. Conclusion The Igbo version of the RNLI is a valid and reliable outcome measure among Igbo people living with mobility disabilities in Southeast Nigeria. It is therefore recommended for use among this group.

Background Stroke is highly debilitating and requires long‐term care. Informal caregivers of stroke survivors play important roles in stroke rehabilitation. Caring for stroke survivors can negatively affect the caregivers’ well‐being and may adversely impact on their caregiving quality and subsequently on stroke survivors’ well‐being. There seems to be a dearth of research on the relationships between caregivers’ and stroke survivors’ well‐being. Aims and Objectives This study was designed to determine the relationships among informal caregivers’ burden and quality of life (QOL) and stroke survivors’ QOL and community reintegration. Methods This ethically certified cross‐sectional survey involved 82 stroke survivors (mean age = 60.48 ± 11.13 years) and their 82 primary caregivers (mean age = 36.13 ± 13.69 years) consecutively recruited from seven conveniently sampled tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Caregivers Strain Index, Igbo‐culture adapted Maleka Stroke Community Reintegration Measure and Short‐Form 36‐item Health Survey questionnaires were used to assess the caregivers’ burden, survivors’ community reintegration and QOL (of survivors and caregivers), respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman rank, Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests at alpha level of 0.05. Results The mean stroke survivors’ community reintegration and QOL were 34.05 ± 21.54% and 34.93 ± 16 ± 49%, respectively. The mean caregivers’ QOL and burden scores were 74.49 ± 12.61% and 9.13 ± 3.18, respectively. About 80.5% of the caregivers experienced significant burden. Stroke survivors’ QOL and community reintegration, and caregivers’ QOL and burden significantly correlated with one another (p < 0.05). Poststroke duration, survivor–caregiver cohabitation duration, survivors’ community‐dwelling duration and daily care‐giving hours significantly correlated with each of stroke survivors’ community reintegration and QOL, and caregivers’ burden and QOL (p < 0.05). Conclusions Stroke survivors’ community reintegration and QOL were poor while caregivers’ had moderate QOL and high prevalence of significant burden. Significant correlations exist between caregivers’ well‐being and stroke survivors’ QOL and community reintegration. Interventions targeted at reducing caregivers’ burden may help improve both caregivers and survivors’ well‐being.

Background: Fear of falling (FOF) is a very pervasive problem among older adults. Consequently, many scales have been developed for its assessment. The Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES) is one of the most popular FOF scales. The MFES was originally developed for use in developed countries, and thus may not be entirely suitable for use in developing countries due to cultural and environmental differences between the two country categories. This study was therefore designed to cross-culturally adapt and validate the MFES to Igbo culture and environment among community-dwelling older adults in Nnewi community using established guidelines. Methods: The original English version of the MFES (E-MFES) was translated, synthesized, back-translated, subjected to expert panel review, and pretested before producing the final Igbo version of the MFES (I-MFES). The I-MFES and the Short Falls Efficacy Scale International were randomly administered to consecutively recruited 109 consenting older adult residents of Nnewi (43.1% males; mean age = 74.45 ± 8.78 years). Convergent and structural validities and internal consistency of the I-MFES were assessed at 0.05 level of significance. Results: All the 14 items on the E-MFES were retained on the I-MFES. The I-MFES exhibited the same structure as the E-MFES. The correlation between the total scores on the I-MFES and the Short Falls Efficacy Scale International was excellent (rho = − 0.93) indicating evidence of convergent validity of the I-MFES. The Cronbach's alpha value of the I-MFES was 0.97 showing evidence of excellent internal consistency of the items on the I-MFES. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of some aspects of validity and reliability of the I-MFES.