Abstract:
Background: Frailty is a syndrome defined by decreased physiological reserves and an
increase in an individual's vulnerability to negative consequences as a result of cumulative
impairments in many systems. People living in residential aged care facilities are at a greater
risk of physical frailty due to their age, functional impairment, and comorbidities. However,
there is a dearth of investigating prevalence of physical frailty of elderly people living in
residential aged care facilities in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the
prevalence of frailty and its associated factors among elderly people living in residential aged
care facilities, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2022
Methods: Across sectional study was conducted from June to July 2022, in two residential
aged care facilities, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 410 elderly people were participated in
this study and the sample size was proportionally allocated in each aged care facilities. Data
were collected through structured questionnaires and entered to Epi-data 6.0.2 then analyzed
by using Stata version 14. A bivariable and multivariable analysis was performed and crude
and adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was calculated. P-value< 0.05 was considered
statistically significant.
Results: The overall prevalence of frailty was 45%. Old age (75-79 years) and (80-84 years)
(AOR=2.06, 95% CI=1.118, 3.826) and being female (AOR=2.10, CI=1.315, 3.360) as well
as depression (AOR=1.69, 95% CI=1.074, 2.689) and a recent history of falling (AOR=2.71;
CI=1.676; 4.385) were variables related with frailty, according to a logistic regression
analysis.
Conclusion: In comparison to lower- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of frailty
was 45%, which was a little lower. Older age, female sex, depression and falling over the last
year are significantly associated with physical frailty among elderly people living in
residential aged care facilities.
