Developing a Standardized Questionnaire for Measuring Older Adult’s Health and Well-Being in Kenya
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Date
2023-12
Authors
Maina, Lucy W.
Langat, Gloria Chepngeno
Mwangi, Samuel M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Policy and program interventions for older adults 60 years or older in Africa have consistently been undermined by a lack of vital data as they are usually excluded from nationally representative population surveys. The Health and Wellbeing of
Older Persons in Kenya (HWOPs-1) study developed a standardized assessment questionnaire that can be used for periodic data generation.
This study presents how the questionnaire was developed and examines its internal consistency and psychometric properties of the health
module.
Research Design and Methods: The development and validation of the HWOPs-1 questionnaire was a 3-step process. Step 1 was a review
of 19 panel studies and 2 national level surveys followed by a wide consultation with key experts and stakeholders on aging. The 3rd step was
validation of the questionnaire with a cross-section of a representative sample to test its applicability and adaptability in a mix of rural and
semi-urban settings. The internal consistency and psychometric properties of the 3 subscales: functionality, disability, and quality of life were
assessed using Cronbach’s (α) alpha and exploratory factor analysis, respectively.
Results: Three subscales of functionality, disability, and quality of life showed high internal consistency with α = 0.94, 0.97, and 0.87, respectively. There were also consistent factor loadings above 0.3 across all the factors. Gender differences across the 3 scales from the results of t
test were observed. Finally, weak but statistically signifcant correlations between the measures of well-being and risk factors for noncommunicable diseases were also observed from the analyses.
Discussion and Implications: The indicators assessed have been used in settings outside Africa to measure health and well-being of older
adults are adaptable and reliable enabling comparability across space and across studies. The questionnaire provides a framework for examining
disease and disability burden and their determinants among older adults in Kenya or similar settings.
Description
Article
Keywords
Africa, Assessment, Indicators, Psychometric, Validation
Citation
Maina, L. W., Chepngeno-Langat, G., & Mwangi, S. M. (2024). Developing a standardized questionnaire for measuring older adult’s health and well-being in Kenya. Innovation in Aging, 8(4), igad137.