Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in Tanzania
Abstract Background The identification of dementia using valid and reliable neuropsychological tests is crucial for the development of effective preventive interventions, treatments, and care plans. Methods We analysed the 2022 Population and Housing Census data in Tanzania to determine the age-adju...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06071-9 |
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| author | Damas Andrea Mlaki Victor Valcour Andjelika Milicic Elaine Allen Stella-Maria Paddick Aaron Berkowitz Raina Kiama Bruce Miller |
| author_facet | Damas Andrea Mlaki Victor Valcour Andjelika Milicic Elaine Allen Stella-Maria Paddick Aaron Berkowitz Raina Kiama Bruce Miller |
| author_sort | Damas Andrea Mlaki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The identification of dementia using valid and reliable neuropsychological tests is crucial for the development of effective preventive interventions, treatments, and care plans. Methods We analysed the 2022 Population and Housing Census data in Tanzania to determine the age-adjusted prevalence of subjective memory, hearing, and visual complaints and explore factors that may influence the development and suitability of neuropsychological assessment batteries among adults aged 60 and older. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates were calculated using the WHO Direct Method. Logistic regression models were performed to examine the factors associated with memory complaints. Mediation analysis was conducted using path analysis, and the significance of the indirect effects was tested using bootstrapping procedures. Results Adults aged 60 + constituted 5.7% of the population. The median (IQR) age was 68 (60–97) years. Literacy and numeracy rates were 59.7% and 67.7% respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence of subjective memory, hearing, and visual complaints, were 7.3% (95%CI: 7.2–7.4), 7.5% (95%CI: 7.4–7.6), and 16.3% (95%CI: 16.2– 16.4). Being married (AOR 0.83; 95%CI: 0.74–0.93; p = 0.002) and having a seven-year education or more (p ≤ 0.001) reduced the odds of memory complaints, while hearing (AOR = 4.62; 95%CI: 4.37–4.88; p ≤ 0.001) and visual (AOR 7.12; 95%CI: 6.78–7.47; p ≤ 0.001) complaints increased the likelihood of memory complaints. Age (p ≤ 0.001) and female sex (p ≤ 0.001) accounted for 21% and 7% of the effects of sex and education on subjective memory complaints respectively. Conclusion Literacy and numeracy decrease with age in adults aged 60 and older in Tanzania. Hearing and visual complaints are common among seniors; they are more prevalent in rural areas and increase the risk of memory complaints. Our findings may inform the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for seniors and highlight the need for policymakers to develop dementia prevention interventions and improve access to vision and hearing services for this group. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-31cf34e8e67746d3b99d81d96af39e6f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj-art-31cf34e8e67746d3b99d81d96af39e6f2025-08-20T02:00:09ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-05-0125111110.1186/s12877-025-06071-9Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in TanzaniaDamas Andrea Mlaki0Victor Valcour1Andjelika Milicic2Elaine Allen3Stella-Maria Paddick4Aaron Berkowitz5Raina Kiama6Bruce Miller7Global Brain Health Institute, University of California San FranciscoGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San FranciscoGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San FranciscoDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San FranciscoCampus for Aging and Vitality Newcastle UniversityGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San FranciscoNational Bureau of StatisticsGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San FranciscoAbstract Background The identification of dementia using valid and reliable neuropsychological tests is crucial for the development of effective preventive interventions, treatments, and care plans. Methods We analysed the 2022 Population and Housing Census data in Tanzania to determine the age-adjusted prevalence of subjective memory, hearing, and visual complaints and explore factors that may influence the development and suitability of neuropsychological assessment batteries among adults aged 60 and older. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates were calculated using the WHO Direct Method. Logistic regression models were performed to examine the factors associated with memory complaints. Mediation analysis was conducted using path analysis, and the significance of the indirect effects was tested using bootstrapping procedures. Results Adults aged 60 + constituted 5.7% of the population. The median (IQR) age was 68 (60–97) years. Literacy and numeracy rates were 59.7% and 67.7% respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence of subjective memory, hearing, and visual complaints, were 7.3% (95%CI: 7.2–7.4), 7.5% (95%CI: 7.4–7.6), and 16.3% (95%CI: 16.2– 16.4). Being married (AOR 0.83; 95%CI: 0.74–0.93; p = 0.002) and having a seven-year education or more (p ≤ 0.001) reduced the odds of memory complaints, while hearing (AOR = 4.62; 95%CI: 4.37–4.88; p ≤ 0.001) and visual (AOR 7.12; 95%CI: 6.78–7.47; p ≤ 0.001) complaints increased the likelihood of memory complaints. Age (p ≤ 0.001) and female sex (p ≤ 0.001) accounted for 21% and 7% of the effects of sex and education on subjective memory complaints respectively. Conclusion Literacy and numeracy decrease with age in adults aged 60 and older in Tanzania. Hearing and visual complaints are common among seniors; they are more prevalent in rural areas and increase the risk of memory complaints. Our findings may inform the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for seniors and highlight the need for policymakers to develop dementia prevention interventions and improve access to vision and hearing services for this group. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06071-9Neuropsychological testsOlder adultsLiteracyCensusClinicalResearch |
| spellingShingle | Damas Andrea Mlaki Victor Valcour Andjelika Milicic Elaine Allen Stella-Maria Paddick Aaron Berkowitz Raina Kiama Bruce Miller Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in Tanzania BMC Geriatrics Neuropsychological tests Older adults Literacy Census Clinical Research |
| title | Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in Tanzania |
| title_full | Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in Tanzania |
| title_fullStr | Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in Tanzania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in Tanzania |
| title_short | Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in Tanzania |
| title_sort | clinical and research implications of the findings of the tanzania 2022 population and housing census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in tanzania |
| topic | Neuropsychological tests Older adults Literacy Census Clinical Research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06071-9 |
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