Sociodemographic determinants of mobility limitation among older adults in Canada and Nigeria
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Date
2025
Authors
Onyeso, Ogochukwu K.
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Health Sciences
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Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Health Sciences
Abstract
This thesis explores the sociodemographic determinants of mobility limitations among older adults (≥ 65 years) using a multi-method approach. The first study is a systematic review and meta-analysis that synthesized evidence from 57 studies involving 130,060 participants to identify associations between sociodemographic factors and performance-based mobility outcomes. Older age, female gender, non-Caucasian race, and lower education were significantly associated with mobility limitations, while gaps were identified in research on marital status, religion, and socioeconomic and residential factors. The second study analyzed six-year longitudinal data from 3,882 participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Ageing, revealing significant predictors of mobility decline, including older age, female gender, retirement, non-Caucasian ethnicity, lower income, lower social status, and lack of homeownership. The third study analyzed three-year longitudinal data from 837 participants in the Ibadan Study of Ageing (Nigeria). A gender-disaggregated growth curve analysis showed that gait speed decline was slower in men compared to women, with significant predictors including widowhood and chronic disease burden for women and religiosity and high socioeconomic status for men. The fourth study, a qualitative description design, explored the perspectives of 36 older adults (18 each from Canada and Nigeria) on life-course sociodemographic determinants of mobility decline and identified demographic, socioeconomic, sociocultural, and socioenvironmental factors as critical influences on mobility trajectories. Canadians highlighted disparities in rural mobility outcomes, while Nigerians noted greater challenges for women and urban dwellers, reflecting cultural nuances. Collectively, these studies provide a comprehensive understanding of the sociodemographic factors shaping mobility trajectories in diverse contexts. The findings offer valuable insights for developing culturally sensitive, equitable policies and interventions to promote healthy ageing globally.
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Keywords
aging , health , mobility limitation , sociodemographic factors , longitudinal studies