Presenter(s):

Daniel Mutonga, General Practitioner, Kenya

Abstract

ROLE OF SOCIAL FACTORS AMONG BLACK KENYAN OLDER ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: MIXED-METHODS HOSPITAL-BASED STUDY
Authors: Mutonga, D.M1,2., Tembu, O.W1., Thigiti, J1., Wanjiru, R3.,
1 Department of Family Medicine, Community Health and Epidemiology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
2 Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
3 Department of Medicine, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction: Older adults form an integral part of society, but are susceptible to mental disorders, social pressures, physical conditions such as diabetes, and frailty. The paper aims to describe the social characteristics of older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at a national referral hospital.

Methods: A mixed-methods design using cross-sectional surveys and in-depth interviews was adapted at the Diabetes and Endocrinology clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital. We consecutively enrolled 430 older adults (> 60 years old) with T2DM from September 2024 – March 2025. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, relevant medical history, latest glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood sugar levels, and frailty assessment using the FRAIL scale were collected. Afterwards, 15 additional explanatory interviews using a semi-structured guide were conducted and recorded.

Results: This sub-analysis reports on the sociodemographic and related factors. The mean age was 69.08 years, 65.6% were females, 36.3% and 23.7% attained high school and primary school education respectively, Christians (95.6%), and most were housewives/househusbands (39.8%), self-employed (25.6%), and retired (24.9%). The majority (75.3%) self-reported to be in very bad financial status not correlate
with the last month’s average income category. A small percentage (7%) lived alone, 37.7% had a caregiver who was either a child (18.6%) or an employee (15.3%), and most had normal family functioning levels (mean APGAR score = 8.32). Older adults were concerned about work-related physical limitations, abandonment, transport logistics to the hospital, and social health insurance. Caregivers were crucial in
alleviating the financial burden of the elderly and facilitating clinic attendance.

Conclusions: Only a small proportion of older adults live alone, some have a caregiver, and the majority come from functional families.

Keywords: social health, frailty, type 2 diabetes, older adults, Africa

Bio(s):

Daniel Munyambu Mutonga is a licensed General Practitioner in Kenya with an interest in Ageing research, Tropical Medicine, and Mental Health. He obtained a BSc. Medical Physiology, MBChB, MSc. Tropical & Infectious Diseases from the University of Nairobi. Daniel is stationed at Mathari National Teaching & Referral Hospital. He began his Family Medicine specialist training in Havana, Cuba, and is now enrolled at Kenyatta University. He has several research publications and is an active member of various local and international professional bodies, including the Kenya Association of Family Physicians.