Attitude towards ageing and perceived health status of community-dwelling older persons in a low resource setting: a rural-urban comparison

Abstract Background Older person’s attitude to ageing is critical for their adjustment, acceptance of health-related behaviour, survival and choices. Their influences how they cope with the challenges experienced while ageing, which affects quality life outcomes. Despite increasing number older persons in sub-Saharan Africa, there limited information about experience. This study examines experience Nigeria regarding process. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional among aged 60 years above was carried out a selected rural an urban community Oyo State, south-western Nigeria. The participants were using multi-stage sampling technique. Trained research assistants collected data aid interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Attitude Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ) used measure participants’ perception three domains (psychosocial loss, physical changes psychological growth). Data analysed Stata version 14 at level significance p < 0.05. Results total 1,180 (588 vs. 592 urban) recruited study. mean age 73.2 ± 9.3 years. majority (69.7 %) females still working (50.5 %). Overall, urban-dwelling had better process all compared rural-dwelling (psychological growth 32.5 3.4 32.4 3.3, = 0.30; change 27.5 5.1 26.9 5.0, 0.03; psychosocial loss 25.3 5.7 25.0 5.3, 0.60). Among participants, good self-rated health significantly associated positive across domains. Conclusions residing communities higher positivity than counterparts. common factor both groups health. can be planning targeted interventions informing policy formation improved provisions community-dwelling other African countries.