Frailty and associated factors among elderly patients in Wolaita Zone public hospitals, south Ethiopia

IntroductionFrailty is an aging-allied condition that suggests a vulnerable state and decline in physiological reserve that affects older people's independence and quality of life. It has also had a significant impact on elderly patients, by leading to impaired activities of daily living, disability, illness, hospitalization, premature death, and increased unnecessary healthcare costs. The previous studies conducted in Ethiopia as well as in Africa were done at the community and residential care facilities level but this study indicated extent of the problem among hospitalized frail patients effectively and also there are limited study on this area in Ethiopia as well as in Africa. Objective : This study aimed to assess frailty and associated factors among elderly patients in Wolaita Zone public hospitals, south Ethiopia, 2023MethodA hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 367 elderly patients from August 16 to September 21, 2023. A systematic sampling was used to select the participants. The data was collected through structured interviewer-administered questionnaires. The collected data was entered into Epidata version 4.6 and then exported into SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used. Variables with a p value < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic regression analysis were considered statistically significantResultsThe overall prevalence of frailty was 47.4%. Old age (75–79) (AOR = 3.2, 95%CI = 1.22–8.5) and ≥ 80 years(AOR = 3.46, 95%CI (1.5–7.7), being female (AOR = 2.17, 95%CI = 1.16-4), Weight(60-69kg) (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI (0.1–0.76), Malnutrition (AOR = 3.7,95%CI = 1.88–7.3), Poor social support (AOR = 3, 95%CI = 1.6–5.7), Depression (AOR = 3.5, 95%CI = 1.7–7.11), Hospitalization (AOR = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.4–4.8) and activity of daily living dependence(AOR = 4.57, 95%CI = 2.4–8.7) were factors associated with frailty.ConclusionThe prevalence of frailty among elderly patients was high. Older age, being female, weight, depression, hospitalization over the past year, poor social support, malnutrition, and activity of daily living dependence are factors associated with frailty in Wolaita zone public hospitals. Early assessment and prevention of malnutrition, hospitalization, and lifestyle modification of elderly patients may reduce the development of frailty.