Physical Activity of Urban-Dwelling Older People in Sri Lanka

There is a paucity of information on physical activity behaviour of older adults in Sri Lanka. This study determined the physical activity status of urban-dwelling older adults in a district in the country. A cross sectional survey of 880 subjects (aged 60+ years) was conducted using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The prevalence rates of physically inactive, sufficiently active and highly active were 21.5%, 78.5% and 52.7% respectively. Women were more active than men (Women, 80.9% versus men, 75.5%, p < 0.05). Activity at work accounted for the highest portion of physical activity as reported by the participants [Median = 2400 MET/Week, 95% CI: 240, 4800] followed by active transport [Median =120 MET/Week, 95% CI: 0, 560] and leisure-time activity [Median = 0 MET/Week, 95% CI: 0, 270]. Factors contributing for extensively engaging activity at work need further investigations and older adults should be encouraged to do leisure-time physical activities

Sinhalese Version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Reliability and Validity

Background: A reliable and valid measurement of physical activity (PA) is vital for PA surveillance activities in community settings and for evaluating PA intervention programs targeted at older adults. This study assessed the reliability and validity of a Sinhalese version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire-version 2 (GPAQv2) adapted for community-dwelling older adults (aged 60+) in Sri Lanka. Methods: Cross-cultural adaptation and an assessment of content validity of the GPAQv2 were done. Indirect criterion validity (n = 210) and test-retest reliability (n = 40) of the tool were assessed. Content validity index, Spearman rank correlation coefficients and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated, and Bland– Altman plots were drawn. Results: The content validity index of the questionnaire was 0.82, an acceptable value. The 3600 turn test (r = –0.258, p= 0.03), and timed up-and-go test (r = –0.197, p= 0.02) were negatively correlated, whereas total balance (r= 0.241, P= 0.00), single leg stance (r= 0.206, p= 0.01), and instrumental activities of daily living score (IADL) (r= 0.244, p= 0.00) were positively correlated with the GPAQv2 scores of PA, confirming the indirect criterion validity of the Sinhalese version of the GPAQv2. The tool demonstrated favorable test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.713). The mean difference between the test and retest total PA scores was –302.6 MET/week, a slight overestimation of PA in the retest. Conclusions: The Sinhalese version of the GPAQv2 demonstrates acceptable reliability and validity. It is suitable for use in PA measures among community-dwelling older adults in Sri Lank

Associated factors of doctor visits made by urban-dwelling older adults in Sri Lanka : an application of Anderson’s model of health service utilization

Background: Although universal free healthcare is available for all Sri Lankan citizens, older adults face somewhat unique obstacles when utilizing available healthcare services. The aim of this study was to examine some vital predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with doctor visits made by urban-dwelling older adults in Sri Lanka. Methods: A representative sample of 880 urban-dwelling older adults (aged 60 years and above) was surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Number of doctor visits, self-rated health, physical activity, and sociodemographic and self-report health conditions were collected. The data were analyzed using chi-squared tests and multinomial logistic regression. Results: Participants’ mean age was 70.01 (± 6.02) years. The majority was women (75.0%). The mean number of doctor visits was 6.77 (± 5.92) per year. Nearly half of the participants (47.0%) had made, on average, at least one doctor visit per month. Older men and those of aged 80 years and above were the least likely to make frequent doctor visits. Participants who were physically active and who rated their health as poor were more likely to make frequent doctor visits after adjustment for age, gender, and educational level. Conclusions: Doctor visits made by Sri Lankan older adults are satisfactory. The factors that best explain high frequency of doctor visits by older adults are female gender, younger age, higher physical activity and poor self-rated health. Attention should be paid to examine possible accessible and afordable issues related to doctor visits by bedridden or physically dependent older adults in advanced age categories

Motivations for Alcohol Use among Men Aged 16–30 Years in Sri Lanka

Psychometric properties of a new scale that measures motivations towards alcohol use were examined using a sample of 412 male alcohol users in Sri Lanka aged 16–30 years. In addition, associations between drinking motives and drinking frequency were explored. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that a 3-factor model consisting of the factors personal enjoyment, tension reduction, and social pressure fit the data well. Overall, tension-reduction motivation was found to be prominent in the context of young males’ drinking behavior in Sri Lanka. Associations between stress and alcohol use among young males warrant further investigations

Neighborhood Environment and Self-Rated Health among Adults in Southern Sri Lanka

The prevalence of different neighborhood environmental stressors and associations between the stressors and self-rated health are described in a representative sample of 2,077 individuals, aged 18–85 years, in southern Sri Lanka. Mosquito menace (69.4%), stray dog problems (26.8%), nuisance from neighbors (20.3%), and nuisance from drug users (18.7%) were found to be the most prevalent environmental stressors. None of the stressors investigated were associated with self-rated physical health, but nuisance from neighbors, nuisance from drug users, shortage of water and having poor water/sewage drainage system were associated with self-rated mental health among the respondents

Motivations for Alcohol Use among Men Aged 16-30 Years in Sri Lanka

Psychometric properties of a new scale that measures motivations towards alcohol use were examined using a sample of 412 male alcohol users in Sri Lanka aged 16-30 years. In addition, associations between drinking motives and drinking frequency were explored. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that a 3-factor model consisting of the factors personal enjoyment, tension reduction, and social pressure fit the data well. Overall, tension-reduction motivation was found to be prominent in the context of young males’ drinking behavior in Sri Lanka. Associations between stress and alcohol use among young males warrant further investigations

Neighborhood Environment and Self-Rated Health among Adults in Southern Sri Lanka

The prevalenceof different neighborhood environmental stressors and associations between the stressors and self-rated health are described in a representative sample of 2,077 individuals, aged 18-85 years, in southern Sri Lanka. Mosquito menace (69.4%), stray dog problems (26.8%), nuisance from neighbors (20.3%), and nuisance from drug users (18.7%) were found to be the most prevalent environmental stressors. None of the stressors investigated were associated with self-rated physical health, but nuisance from neighbors, nuisance from drug users, shortage of water and having poor water/ sewage drainage system were associated with self-rated mental health among the respondents

Generativity, self-rated health and smoking behavior of older people in Sri Lanka

Background Sri Lanka has one of the fastest aging populations in Asia. Smoking may increase older peoples' risk of developing chronic diseases including cognitive impairments and depression. This study investigated the associations between smoking habits, self-rated psychological health and generativity concern (desire to nurture next generations) in a sample of older people in Galle, Sri Lanka. Methods A sample of older people (60 years and above) were surveyed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Generativity was measured using Loyola Generative Scale (LGS). Higher scores of LGS indicate higher generative concern. Self-rated health of the participants was measured using 5 point likert scale. Results A Total of 208 elders (40% were men) were surveyed. The mean age was 70.7 (SD = 7.6) and 13.4% of men and 1.6% women were current smokers (p < .01). The mean values of LGS scores were 47.5 (SD = 7.1) for men and 47.3 (SD = 7.5) for women. Mean LGS score of current smokers (smoke at least once a month) is lower than that of others (43.2 versus 47.7, p = 0.03). Self-rated psychological health in current smokers was lower than that of non-smokers (p < .05). LGS score was positively associated with self-rated psychological health (r = 0.34, p< 0.01). Conclusions Concern about and having more interactions with younger people would probably help older people to control or quit smoking. In communities where generative concern is highly valued, the construct could be used as an effective health promotion strategy to control smoking behavior in older people

Papers

Prevalence and correlates of physical and emotional abuse among late adolescent