IMPROVING HEALTH CARE QUALITY FOR OLDER ADULTS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: LESSONS FOR GLOBAL HEALTH SYSTEMS - Abstract - igaf122.4141

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by awa

Study examines how older adults in a Sub-Saharan African community experience healthcare interactions and manage health and disability challenges, focusing on system-level gaps for quality improvement. Qualitative methods used 36 semi-structured interviews with adults aged 65+ from diverse household and social contexts. Thematic analysis identified recurring quality-care barriers: limited provider responsiveness, structural inequities (long travel and out-of-pocket costs), and insufficient culturally sensitive communication. Adaptive coping reduced immediate hardship but harmed long-term outcomes, supporting targeted innovations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study focus and context

Methods and participant profile

Thematic findings on quality of care

Coping strategies and implications

Recommendations for global health systems

FAQs

What healthcare quality problems did older adults report?

Older adults highlighted inadequate provider responsiveness to age-related conditions, structural inequities such as long travel distances and out-of-pocket costs, and a lack of culturally sensitive communication during clinical encounters.

How was the study conducted?

The study used a qualitative design with 36 semi-structured interviews with adults aged 65 years and older, recruited purposively to reflect diverse household and social contexts.

What coping strategies were described, and what was the impact?

Participants reported adaptive strategies such as community caregiving networks, spirituality, and alternative medicine use, alongside maladaptive strategies like delaying or avoiding care. While these helped with immediate hardship, they often undermined long-term health outcomes.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by awa