Overview of the prevalence of loneliness and associated risk factors among older adults across six continents: A meta-analysis
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Globally, loneliness is a growing public health concern associated with poor mental and physical health among older adults. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to explore the prevalence of loneliness and associated risk factors among older adults across six continents.
METHODS
Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and references lists were comprehensively searched until April 2024. Data analysis was performed using Logit Transformation model in R-Software for pooled prevalence and DerSimonian-Lard random-effects model in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis for associated factors of loneliness. Heterogeneity was quantified by I2 and τ2 statistics. The funnel plot and Egger's regression test assessed publication bias.
RESULTS
A total of 70 studies with 462,083 older adults were included. The pooled prevalence of loneliness was 26 % (95 %CI, 23 %-30 %) with 38 % for North America, 34 % for Africa, 32 % for Asia and South America, 23 % for Europe, and 13 % for Oceania. Cognitive impairment (2.98; 95 %CI, 1.30-6.81), poor health (2.35; 95 %CI, 1.59-3.45), female (1.92; 95 %CI, 1.53-2.41), depression (1.74; 95 %CI, 1.40-2.16), widowed (1.67; 95 %CI, 1.13-2.48), single (1.51; 95 %CI, 1.06-2.17), institutionalization (2.95; 95 %CI, 1.48-5.88), rural residency (1.18; 95 %CI, 1.04-1.34) were associated with increased risk of loneliness. Being married (0.51; 95 %CI, 0.31-0.82), male (0.55; 95 %CI, 0.43-0.70), and non-institutionalization (0.34; 95 %CI,…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 462,083 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.