Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in India
Abstract Background Age is one of the predominant reasons for perceived discrimination in developing world where older people are considered a non-contributing burden. The present study explores the prevalence and correlates of perceived age discrimination among older Indian adults. Methods A cross-...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13002-5 |
| _version_ | 1818356566066200576 |
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| author | Priya Maurya Palak Sharma T. Muhammad |
| author_facet | Priya Maurya Palak Sharma T. Muhammad |
| author_sort | Priya Maurya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Age is one of the predominant reasons for perceived discrimination in developing world where older people are considered a non-contributing burden. The present study explores the prevalence and correlates of perceived age discrimination among older Indian adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a large representative survey data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India conducted during 2017–18. Participants included 31,464 older adults aged 60 years and above. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations between selected background characteristics and perceived age discrimination. Results The analysis revealed that 10.33 percent of older adults perceived their age as the main reason for discrimination, which was 11.86% among the oldest-old. Older adults with more than 10 years of schooling were 32% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.68; confidence interval (CI): 0.51—0.89] less likely to perceive age discrimination compared to their uneducated counterparts. The odds of perceived age discrimination were higher among older adults who earlier worked [AOR: 1.73; CI: 1.46—2.05] and currently working [AOR: 1.61; CI: 1.31—1.96] as compared to those who never worked. Further, having difficulty in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) [AOR: 1.43; CI: 1.25 -1.65] and having one chronic condition [AOR: 1.16; CI: 1.02 -1.34] were associated with increased odds of perceived age discrimination among older adults. Conclusion Older adults with lower socioeconomic status, currently working, having more chronic conditions, difficulty in IADL and belonging to rural areas were found to perceive higher age discrimination than their counterparts. The findings of the study have important implications for policy makers with respect to strategies such as making the vulnerable populations aware of their legal rights that help in the prevention of age-based discrimination in the country. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T19:59:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3c2d940bdc88468bbd807ff1f5df6033 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T19:59:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-3c2d940bdc88468bbd807ff1f5df60332022-12-21T23:33:13ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582022-03-0122111010.1186/s12889-022-13002-5Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in IndiaPriya Maurya0Palak Sharma1T. Muhammad2International Institute for Population SciencesInternational Institute for Population SciencesInternational Institute for Population SciencesAbstract Background Age is one of the predominant reasons for perceived discrimination in developing world where older people are considered a non-contributing burden. The present study explores the prevalence and correlates of perceived age discrimination among older Indian adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a large representative survey data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India conducted during 2017–18. Participants included 31,464 older adults aged 60 years and above. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations between selected background characteristics and perceived age discrimination. Results The analysis revealed that 10.33 percent of older adults perceived their age as the main reason for discrimination, which was 11.86% among the oldest-old. Older adults with more than 10 years of schooling were 32% [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.68; confidence interval (CI): 0.51—0.89] less likely to perceive age discrimination compared to their uneducated counterparts. The odds of perceived age discrimination were higher among older adults who earlier worked [AOR: 1.73; CI: 1.46—2.05] and currently working [AOR: 1.61; CI: 1.31—1.96] as compared to those who never worked. Further, having difficulty in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) [AOR: 1.43; CI: 1.25 -1.65] and having one chronic condition [AOR: 1.16; CI: 1.02 -1.34] were associated with increased odds of perceived age discrimination among older adults. Conclusion Older adults with lower socioeconomic status, currently working, having more chronic conditions, difficulty in IADL and belonging to rural areas were found to perceive higher age discrimination than their counterparts. The findings of the study have important implications for policy makers with respect to strategies such as making the vulnerable populations aware of their legal rights that help in the prevention of age-based discrimination in the country.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13002-5Perceived age discriminationSocioeconomicHealth statusOlder adult |
| spellingShingle | Priya Maurya Palak Sharma T. Muhammad Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in India BMC Public Health Perceived age discrimination Socioeconomic Health status Older adult |
| title | Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in India |
| title_full | Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in India |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in India |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in India |
| title_short | Prevalence and correlates of perceived age-related discrimination among older adults in India |
| title_sort | prevalence and correlates of perceived age related discrimination among older adults in india |
| topic | Perceived age discrimination Socioeconomic Health status Older adult |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13002-5 |
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