Prevalence of frailty in rural community-dwelling older adults in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka: A population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective Our main objective was to describe the prevalence and associated sociodemographic factors of frailty and pre-frailty in rural community-dwelling older adults in Kegalle district of Sri Lanka. Design Community-based cross-sectional study. Setting The study was conducted in rural areas of Kegalle district in Sri Lanka. Participants A total of 746 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years were included in the study. Results The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty in rural Kegalle district was 15.2%(95%CI 12.3%to 18.6%) and 48.5%(95%CI 43.8%to 53.2%), respectively. We found a strong association between age and both frailty and pre-frailty. There were strong associations between longest-held occupation and frailty and education level and pre-frailty.conclusions The prevalence of frailty in this rural Sri Lankan older population was high compared with high-income and upper middle-income countries. The profile of health and social care services in Sri Lanka needs to address frailty and its consequences.