Sociodemographic factors in older adults’ gait speed decline: a gender disaggregate growth curve analysis of the Ibadan Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Abstract

Background Gait speed is an important predictor of older adults’ well-being. We estimated the influence of sociodemographic factors on the gait speed decline of community-dwelling older Nigerians. Methods Using the Ibadan Study of Ageing (2007, 2008, and 2009 cycles), we completed a gender disaggregate analysis of sociodemographic influences on participants’ gait speed trajectory using mixed-design ANOVA and growth curve analysis. Results At baseline, 53.2% of participants were female, 61.9% were married, with an average age of 75.5 ± 6.8 years and gait speed of 0.96 ± 0.32 m/s. Gender-specific models showed slower gait speed decline in men (β = −0.05, p < .001) compared to women (β = −0.09, p < .001). Widowhood (β = −0.07, p = .001) for women, high socioeconomic status (β = −0.01, p = .009) for men, and chronic disease burden for women (β = −0.02, p = .010) and men (β = −0.03, p = .008) were significant predictors of gait speed decline. Conclusion Addressing culture-related widowhood and women’s vulnerabilities, improving health coverage, and promoting lifestyle modifications may mitigate mobility decline among older Nigerians.