Factors Associated with Older Persons’ Physical Health in Rural Uganda

Fred Maniragaba, Makerere University
Abel Nzabona, Centre for Basic Research, Kampala
John Bosco Asiimwe, Makerere University
Emmanuel Bizimungu, International Food Policy Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
John A Mushomi, African Institute for Development Policy
James Ntozi, Makerere University
Betty Kwagala, Makerere University

Introduction: The proportion of older persons (OPs) in developing countries is increasing with no clear evidence of improvement in physical health. The aim of this paper was to examine the factors associated with older persons’ physical health in rural Uganda. Methods: This paper is based on a cross-sectional study of 912 older persons age 60 years and older across four major regions of Uganda. The study was conceptualized basing on World Health Organization quality of life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with physical health. Results: Physical health was good (OR=3.64; p<0.001) among OPs who controlled their household assets or their spouses (OR=4.47; p<0.001) relative to those whose assets were controlled by children and among those who engaged in physical activities (OR=2.28; p<0.001) compared to those who did not. Conclusion: The findings have various policy implications, such as sensitizing them to exercise regularly.