The key actors maintaining elders in functional autonomy in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso)

Abstract

BackgroundGlobally, a significant increase in functional disability among the elderly is expected in the near future. It is therefore vital to begin considering how Sub-Saharan Africa countries can best start building or strengthening the care and support system for that target population. Study objectives are: 1) identify the key actors of the social system who maintain elders in functional autonomy at home in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) and 2) to describe the functional status of older people living at home.MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal descriptive study among the elderly aged 60 and above (351). Their functional status was evaluated using the Functional Autonomy Measurement System (SMAF). Data analysis was done using the statistical software package STATA (SE11).ResultsIn Bobo-Dioulasso, 68% of seniors have good functional capacity or a slight incapacity and 32% have moderate to severe incapacities. Older people die before (3%) or during (14%) moderate to severe disabilities. This would mean that the quality of medical and/or social care is not good for maintaining functional autonomy of older people with moderate to severe disabilities. Two main groups of people contribute to maintain elders in functional autonomy: the elderly themselves and their family. Community, private or public structures for maintaining elders in functional autonomy are non-existent. The social system for maintaining elders in functional autonomy is incomplete and failing. In case of functional handicap at home, the elders die. But stakeholders are not conscious of this situation; they believe that this system is good for maintaining elders in functional autonomy.ConclusionIt is likely that the absence of formal care and support structure likely shortens the lifespan of severely disabled older people. Stakeholders have not yet looked at this possibility. The stakeholders should seriously think about: 1) how to establish the third level of actors who can fulfill the needs to maintain elders in functional autonomy that are not satisfied by others (family members or the older individuals themselves), and 2) how to reinforce the role of each actor and the collaboration between the different groups of people of this system.

<p>The effects of sociodemographic factors on quality of life among people aged 50 years or older are not unequivocal: comparing SF-12, WHOQOL-BREF, and WHOQOL-OLD</p>

“…According to Gobbens and Van Assen, this operational definition of autonomy refers not only to psychological functioning but also to physical functioning and the social environment 35. In that case, the autonomy of an older person will depend to a very large extent on both his or her physical abilities and the support capabilities of the social environment 39,40. Additional statistical analyses showed that autonomy was significantly associated with physical health (WHOQOL-BREF), physical domain (SF-12), and sensory abilities (WHOQOL-OLD), represented by Pearson’s coefficients of 0.52, 0.43, and 0.34, respectively.…”

Psychometric properties of the Dutch WHOQOL-OLD

“…Our interpretation of this finding is that the autonomy facet is not only psychological, but also taps into other domains such as the physical and environmental domain. Someone’s autonomy will depend to a very large extent on physical ability and the support opportunities that the environment has to offer [ 42 , 43 ].…”

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Epidemic in Zimbabwe: Quo Vadis?

“…Nonetheless, it is important to protect the small, elderly population in sub-Saharan Africa, and this may be easier to implement. There is limited use of institutional care for the elderly such as nursing homes, or retirement villages [19]. This may reduce the risk of nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in a vulnerable, captive population Since the majority of elderly people live in the rural areas, their risk of infection can be reduced by restricting movement between urban and rural areas.…”