Abstract: Loneliness is a phenomenon commonly associated with old age because of the changes that occur with this population in their social relationships both qualitatively and quantitatively. This phenomenon is widely perceived as one of the major problems of later life. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of loneliness among older adults at Mathira West, Sub-County, Kenya. The sample size of 299 older adults in this study was calculated using Yamane’s formula, the confidence level of 95%, the margin error of 5%, and the 1169 population. Quantitative data was collected from old adults aged 55-60 years, in which frequency of male respondents was higher (174, 58.2%) as opposed to female older adults (125, 41.8%). Results from this study showed the prevalence of moderate loneliness at 27.4% and severe or clinical loneliness at 14.4%. Similarly, findings from PLUM ordinal regression indicated that older adults aged 66-70 years (p=0.000), and aged 71-75 years (p=0.000), were at risk of clinical loneliness. Further, male respondents (p=0.000), single parents (p=0.000), separated or divorced (p=0.000), perceived financially poor (p=0.041), were found to be significantly at risk of clinical loneliness. Moreover, findings from the ordinal regression revealed that respondents who live alone (p=0.000), respondents who use mobile phone frequently (p=0.000), were found to be at risk of clinical loneliness. Conclusively, the results from this study were stimulating, and it has raised several topics for further research that will require intervention research because the 27.4% prevalence of loneliness among the older adults cannot be ignored.
Keywords: Prevalence, Risk factors, loneliness, older adults, Kenya.
Title: Prevalence and associated risk factors of Loneliness among older adults at Mathira West Sub-County, Kenya
Author: Agnes Nyamu, Lucy Njiru, Samuel Ojuade
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 10, Issue 4, October 2022 - December 2022
Page No: 405-415
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 06-November-2022
