Associations between vigorous physical activity, social ties, social support, and self-reported health among older adults in Accra, Ghana.

Meeting recommended vigorous physical activity (VPA) levels represents a hallmark for healthy living, but VPA in older populations is likely to lead to casualties that may compel older adults to underscore their health. This study examined the associations between VPA, social ties, social support, and self-reported health in an African sample of older adults. This study adopted the cross-sectional design.

The Influence of Community-Level Built Environment Factors on Active Social Network Size in Older Adults: Social Activity as a Moderator.

Background: This study examined the influence of built environmental factors in the community on active social network size as well as the moderating influence of different dimensions of social activity on this relationship.

Methods: This study employed the cross-sectional and correlational approaches to construct a scale measuring key community-level built environment factors and test the moderating influence of social activity on the association between these factors and active social network size in older adults. The study population was all 3,211 older adults who were resident in Accra and were part of the database of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust.

The association between physical activity and self-reported health in older adults: lessons implied by lifestyle factors.

Physical activity (PA) has been evidenced to be associated with self-reported health, but studies providing this evidence have failed to incorporate some relevant covariates, especially those pertinent to an African sample. This study examined the association between PA and self-reported health, with relevant lifestyle factors, comorbidities, and personal characteristics treated as covariates in this assessment. The study population was retired and working older people aged 60 years or more in Accra, Ghana.

Assessing the maturity of community-level built environments for older adults' active behaviors: highlights from a psychometric test.

The community development approach to healthy active aging advocates constant availability of relevant built environment factors in the community as a requirement for active behaviors. In this paper, scores from a new scale measuring these factors are interpreted to guide future assessment of active built environments in the community. Participants were 515 older adults in Accra aged 60 years or more who met some inclusion criteria.

Psychometric Properties of a New Scale Measuring Neglect and Abuse of Older Adults in the Community: Implications for Social Activity.

Background: Neglect and abuse of older adults are still prevalent in communities of developing countries, a situation that could discourage active and healthy behaviors in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: This study used the cross-sectional and correlational approaches to construct a scale measuring neglect and abuse in older adults living in the community. The study population was all (3,211) older adults who were resident in Accra and were part of the database of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust.