Gender, health and ageing in Fiji: a mixed methods analysis

Abstract Background Women are disadvantaged by ageing: older women more likely than men to suffer from ill-health, have less access health care and discrimination within the system. Globally, there is a dearth of research on gender ageing with substantial knowledge gaps in low middle-income country contexts. Part wider investigation Fiji, our objective was identify describe gendered differences healthy this Pacific Island context. We believe be first such study region. Methods Applying systems lens, we used mixed-methods approach, encompassing analysis cause death data; focus group discussion gather community family attitudes services; policy analysis, then data triangulation techniques draw out key themes insights. Results found that affects outcomes among persons, towards experience ageing, an person’s use services. also while Fiji’s response has recognised importance gender, to-date been limited action address differences. Gender (as oppose sex differences) direct indirect implications for Fijians, inequalities patriarchal norms appear affect both women’s system response. Further, age may intersecting, intensifying their separate effects. Conclusion This demonstrates feasibility applying lens ageing. Our findings Fiji relevant other island nations south which share similar challenges population constrained budget geographically-dispersed populations. The methodology considered efficient insightful way examine responses elsewhere.