"Homelessness and Health Problems Are Not Distinct:" the Challenges of Rural-Urban Migrant Homeless Older People in Ethiopia

Compared with western countries, research on homelessness among older people in developing nations is minimal. Unlike in Global North nations that offer income security in late-life, in areas like Sub-Saharan Africa abject poverty contributes to older adults migrating from rural areas to urban centers in search of a means of livelihood. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges faced by homeless older rural-urban migrants in Kobo Town, Ethiopia. This cross-sectional study employed a qualitative descriptive case study. Purposive sampling was used to identify ten older adult migrants who had been homeless for more than a year. Data from in-depth interviews was supplemented with key informant interviews, observation, and document review. The narrative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Study results revealed that homeless elders faced multiple challenges including lack of necessities such as food, shelter, and water, mobility issues, lack of employment access, social exclusion, and psychological struggles. The findings call attention to the need for practical access to social and economic empowerment responses to prevent and curb homelessness among older adults in developing nations

'No Matter How Harsh, We Are Alive': Coping Strategies of Rural–Urban Migrant Homeless Older People in Ethiopia

The prevalence of homelessness among older adults in Ethiopia is growing. While prior studies examined the push factors and challenges of homeless elders, little is known about how older people cope with homelessness in a context of limited ageing services. This study explored the coping strategies of homeless older people in Kobo Town, Ethiopia. Purposive sampling was used to identify 10 homeless older people and four key informants. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected through in-depth interviews. To cope with the challenges faced on the street, homeless older people used various strategies including begging, holy water, drying leftover food, using river water for hygiene and sanitation, sleeping in church compounds, and creating their own social networks. Despite their best efforts, elders' coping strategies could not overcome the barriers imposed by their resource-poor environment. The findings call attention to the urgent need for a national response to elders' unmet needs including an income support programme and multifaceted support services for older adults in Ethiopia

"Homelessness and Health Problems Are Not Distinct:" the Challenges of Rural-Urban Migrant Homeless Older People in Ethiopia

Compared with western countries, research on homelessness among older people in developing nations is minimal. Unlike in Global North nations that offer income security in late-life, in areas like Sub-Saharan Africa abject poverty contributes to older adults migrating from rural areas to urban centers in search of a means of livelihood. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges faced by homeless older rural-urban migrants in Kobo Town, Ethiopia. This cross-sectional study employed a qualitative descriptive case study. Purposive sampling was used to identify ten older adult migrants who had been homeless for more than a year. Data from in-depth interviews was supplemented with key informant interviews, observation, and document review. The narrative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Study results revealed that homeless elders faced multiple challenges including lack of necessities such as food, shelter, and water, mobility issues, lack of employment access, social exclusion, and psychological struggles. The findings call attention to the need for practical access to social and economic empowerment responses to prevent and curb homelessness among older adults in developing nations

Challenges and Assets of Older Adults in Sub-Saharan Africa: Perspectives of Gerontology Scholars

Life expectancy is increasing globally, with the biggest gains expected in sub-Saharan Africa. Using an online survey, we investigated the perspectives of gerontology scholars on the challenges of aging in sub-Saharan Africa as well as the assets of older adults. Respondents (n = 72) from 17 countries, primarily in Africa, and representing 16 disciplines, identified the top issues facing African older adults as: poverty, lack of trained geriatric professionals, food insecurity, disability/health issues, and long-term care. Older adults' unique strengths were noted as indigenous knowledge systems, being holders of cultural heritage, and their contributions to development. Respondents' biggest concerns about older adults in sub-Saharan Africa were the lack of government attention to aging issues (63%) and a lack of social services targeted to older adults' needs (57%). Government funding (77.8%) and international partnerships (38.9%) were noted as resources needed to support aging research in sub-Saharan Africa. The response or non-response of governments in sub-Saharan Africa will determine whether the growing number of older adults will increasingly experience unmet needs and whether their assets will be considered in development efforts. Establishing professional networks of gerontology scholars in the region will help to document the challenges faced by older adults, to plan for the coming demographic shift, and to empower older adults to thrive as valued community members

Antibacterial activity of extracts from Myrtus communis L. (Ades) and Dodoneae angustifolia L.F. (Kitkita) using bioautography method

The increasing prevalence of antibacterial drug resistant organisms in our globe and high prevalence of infectious diseases in developing countries has led to new efforts in the search of bioactive compounds from complex chemical composition of plant extracts. A bioautographic agar overlay assay using Staphylococcus aureous as the indicator organism for the detection of antimicrobial compounds from ten extracts of Myrtus communis L. and Dodoneae angustifolia L was analyzed. Hexane, dichloromethane, acetone, methanol and water solvents are used as extractant and ethyl acetate: methanol: water, chloroform: ethyl acetate: acetic acid and benzene: ethanol: ammonia solvent systems were used to separate the components from all the extract of Myrtus communis L. and Dodoneae angustifolia L. Our results indicated that the extracts of Myrtus communis L.f. and Dodoneae angustifolia L had bioactive constituents responsible for their antibacterial potentials. Water solvents extracted small number of antibacterial compounds from both plants, followed by hexane extractant; while dichloromethane, acetone and methanol extractant shared similarities in bioactive compounds on bioautograms, and extracted the highest number of antibacterial compounds with variety of polarities. Chloroform: ethyl acetate: acetic acid solvent system separated the largest number of biologically active components in all extractants. As a high number of antibacterially active compounds were found in M. communis and D. angustifolia extracts of dichloromethane, acetone and methanol, we recommend assay guided fractionation, isolation and dosage formulation of these antibacterial compounds from these plants for clinical applications. Keywords/phrases: Antibacterial, Bioactive-compound, Bioautography, Dodonaea angustifolia, Myrtus communisEthiop. J. Biol. Sci., 10(1): 57-72, 201