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Determinants of Healthy Aging in Internally Displaced Communities in Nigeria

How we age and our health prospects is an issue that concerns everyone, and it is further interesting to look at different populations to assess what factors influence healthy aging. In SIHMA’s African Human Mobility Review Journal Adebayo O.M. Makanju and Hafiz T.A. Khan explore and consider the determinants of Healthy Aging in Internally Displaced Communities in Nigeria.  

The article may be summarised as follows: 

The main objective of this research article, is to assess the effect of socio-economic and environmental determinants on the healthy aging status amongst internally displaced migrants and non-migrants nestled within the environmentally stressed regions of Northeastern Nigeria. Methodologically the study utilized secondary data from the Nigerian IDP Survey 2018 (Location-Northeastern States; n-1293 adults aged ≥50; male n-63.1%, female n-36.9%) using a multi-stage stratified random sample. Varied statistical techniques such as cross-tabulation and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the dataset. The study results show a high mean prevalence of old-age disability within the study area, irrespective of migration status in Northeastern Nigeria. Secondly, socio-economic and environmental determinants were robust predictors of later-life health outcomes. In addition, the regression revealed that concomitant factors such as age, gender and sanitation have a negative effect on older adult wellness and well-being. Meanwhile, the migration status of internally displaced persons (IDPs), although in most cases forced, significantly improves the odds of aging healthily. Conclusively, the quality of life of the older adults, irrespective of migration status, is poorly impacted by diminishing familial supports, social exclusion, non-existent social security program and non-existence of healthcare infrastructure. Based on the study results, we recommend that the proposed Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Sahelian “Green belt” afforestation project targeted, especially to areas around the Chad basin be fully implemented, as this project will help mediate the perennial conflicts between the herdsmen and farming communities. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to formulate an integration between migration and geriatrics which would be comprehensive, and evidence-driven. Study recommend that budgetary allocation for health should have a flooring capped at 20% of the national budget (1).

 

If you are interested in perhaps writing for the African Human Mobility Review please follow this link on making a submission: https://www.sihma.org.za/submit-an-article 

 

 

 

James Chapman               and              Ginevra Gianardi

 

SIHMA                                                   SIHMA 

Project Manager                                    Research and Communication Intern

 

  1. Abstract from ‘Determinants of Healthy Aging in Internally Displaced Communities in Nigeria’ African Human Mobility Review Vol 6, No. 3 Sep-Dec 2020. For the abstract and full article see: https://www.sihma.org.za/journals/2.%20Determinants%20of%20Healthy%20Aging%20AHMR%203:2020.pdf
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