Gender Disparities in Frailty and Health Outcomes in Elderly Bangladeshis

Abstract

Background: The global population is ageing rapidly, with a growing proportion of individuals aged 60 years and above. This demographic transition presents significant challenges for health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh, where resources for elderly care remain limited. Frailty, a common geriatric syndrome characterized by decreased physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among elderly individuals aged 60 years and above in both urban and rural areas of Dhaka district, including the outpatient at Medical College for Women's and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study period was from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 100 participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Result: In this study of 100 elderly participants, frailty was significantly more prevalent among females (43.8%) compared to males (23.1%). Frailty was strongly associated with increased risk of falls, hospitalizations, and dependency in daily activities, with these outcomes being more common among women. Logistic regression analysis identified female gender as an independent predictor of frailty. Conclusion: This study highlights significant gender disparities in frailty and related health outcomes among elderly individuals in Bangladesh, with older women experiencing a higher prevalence of frailty and a greater risk of adverse outcomes such as falls, hospitalizations, and functional dependency compared to men. Female gender emerged as an independent predictor of frailty, underscoring the need for targeted, gender-sensitive interventions to address frailty and promote healthy ageing.