Using Mobile Phone-based Text Message to Recruit Representative Samples: Assessment of a Cross-Sectional Survey about the COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitation.

Background: Limited research has examined mobile phone-based platforms for survey recruitment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Our objective was to investigate the feasibility and representativeness of mobile phone-based advertisement during a preliminary study about COVID-19 vaccine hesitation in Brazil. Moreover, we evaluate whether the older population can be reached through mobile phone-based platforms of the survey. Methods: We conducted a study in December 2021 based on a preliminary survey about the COVID-19 vaccine hesitation in Assis, Brazil, Sao Paulo state. From a list of the adult population hesitant for the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, we sent a mobile phone-based advertisement inviting the participants to answer the survey for one week. The respondent's data were collected in a Google form platform. The comparison between the target population and the respondents was made using the Chi-squared test and the Welch's test, using a P-value of .05 as significative. Results: The response rate was 9.99% after one week. The mean age of the respondent group was 33.97 (SD 14.99) and 35.05 (SD 14.19) of the population, with a P-value of .192 and a Cohen's d coefficient of 0.0754, corresponding to a small effect size between groups. We demonstrate that the mobile phone-based survey is a feasible and representative strategy during the pandemics in Brazil. Moreover, the older population respondent was representative. Conclusion: We achieved a representative sample of respondents using the mobile phone-based survey in Brazil. Furthermore, it was representative in all sociodemographic and health characteristics assessed. Finally, these findings suggest the method is a highly feasible and economical means of recruiting for survey research.

Combined royal jelly 10-hydroxydecanoic acid and aspirin is synergistic against memory deficit and neuroinflammation

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of neurodegenerative dementia among the older population, is associated with acute or chronic inflammation. As a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, aspirin has recently been...

Levels and Predictors of COVID-19-Related Anxiety in Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Prolonged quarantine during the COVID-19 outbreak is a stressful factor. AIM: This study aims to analyze the psycho-emotional state of Jordan’s older population during the Covid-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study on 620 older adults (mean age, 66.4±5.3 years) was conducted in 2020 in Amman (Jordan). All respondents were asked to complete an online survey on coping strategies, a HUDS questionnaire, and a specially designed questionnaire. RESULTS: The dominant predictors of stress were uncertainty (62%) and a fear other family members getting ill (60%). Of all the respondents, 15% agreed with the necessity to prolong the quarantine period, 47% had a neutral attitude, and 38% exhibited a negative attitude. High levels of anxiety in older population were associated with the lower use of humor (H=11.498, p≤0.002). On the other hand, such respondents demonstrated the higher use of planning (H=6.227, p≤0.039), venting (H=11.087, p≤0.004), avoidance (H=7.457, p≤0.019), and active coping (H=6.043, p≤0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Most of Covid-19 cases are registered in healthcare institutions and for that reason, there is a need to provide psychiatric care to medical workers who do not have the necessary experience in this area. This may also require the state to promote psychiatric care training.

Relationship between vulnerability and life satisfaction in older population in Russia

The article examines the relationship between various components of vulnerability and life satisfaction among older people in Russia. Empirically, the study bases on data from the first wave of the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) for 2007–2010. The analysis showed that physical vulnerability, or frailty, is associated with a significantly lower level of life satisfaction of the older population. At the same time, there are differences in this relationship between age groups, and an increase in the physical vulnerability of individuals aged 75–89 years old reduces their subjective well-being to a greater extent in comparison with the group of individuals aged 60–74 years old. The financial situation of individuals also plays a significant role: lack of income to cover daily needs negatively affects subjective well-being. Socializing with friends is another predictor of life satisfaction in older age.

Optimal Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Management and Active Ageing

Type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a chronic condition with increasing prevalence worldwide among the older population. The T2DM condition increases the risk of micro and macrovascular complications as well as the risk of geriatric syndromes such as falls, fractures and cognitive impairment. The management of T2DM in the older population represents a challenge for the clinician, and a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment should always be prioritized, in order to tailor the glycated hemoglobin target according to functional and cognitive status comorbidities, life expectancy and type of therapy. According to the most recent guidelines, older adults with T2DM should be categorized into three groups: healthy patients with good functional status, patients with complications and reduced functionality and patients at the end of life; for each group the target for glycemic control is different, also according to the type of treatment drug. The therapeutic approach should always begin with lifestyle changes; after that, several lines of therapy are available, with different mechanisms of action and potential effects other than glucose level reduction. Particular interest is growing in sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, due to their effect on the cardiovascular system. In this review, we evaluate the therapeutic options available for the treatment of older diabetic patients, to ensure a correct treatment approach.

The Impact of Population Ageing: A Review

Background: Population aging refers to the increase in number and percentage of older population aged 60 yr and above, and at the same time, decreasing in number and percentage of the young population aged 15 yr old and below. Starting in developed countries, population aging has now become a distinctive demographic phenomenon in developing countries. Nowadays developing countries have become the home to the largest proportion of older people in the world. This paper aimed to analyze the impact of population aging in Malaysia. Methods: We employed a secondary data analysis related to the impact of population aging in Malaysia. In analyzing the data, the paper detailed, segmented, coded and, formulated the text into themes through a thematic approach. The themes that emerged from the data were family changes, migration of youth, support and care, health problems, financial security as well as housing problems. These emerged themes mapped the shared patterns of the impacts of the population aging. Results: With the increasing of the older population in Malaysia, there are various impacts of population aging emerged, particularly in terms of family changes, youth migration to cities, support and care, health, financial security and housing. The discussion in this article is revolved around these impacts. Conclusion: The growth of older people and the impact emerging from it has certain policy implications for the government of the country. Thus, the government needs to prepare for adequate policies and resources for future older people.