Ethnic and Gender Disparities in Healthy Ageing among People 50 Years and Older in South Africa

Objective: this study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of healthy ageing in older adults living in the community in South Africa. Methods: the cross-sectional sample consisted of 3734 individuals (≥50 years) from the cross-sectional South African National Health and Nutrition Survey (SANHANES-1) in 2011–2012. Healthy ageing was assessed using a multidimensional concept, which includes five components: (1) absence of major illness, (2) absence of disability, (3) good mental health, (4) social engagement and (5) well-being or good health. Results: in general, 36.6% had a healthy ageing, including 73.3% had no major diseases, 87.1% were free of disability, 62.3% had good mental health, 73.0% were socially engaged and 64.0% had a high well-being. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, male sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR: 1.33, 95% confidence interval-CI: 1.03–1.72), white population group (AOR: 3.46, 95% CI: 2.29–5.22) and coloured population group (AOR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.34–2.47), were positively associated with healthy ageing, while increasing age (AOR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.97), daily tobacco use (AOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.42–0.74), perceived underweight (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.34–0.66) and perceived overweight (AOR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34–0.81) were negatively associated with associated with healthy ageing. Conclusion: almost two in five older adults in South Africa were successfully ageing. Factors associated with healthy ageing included, younger age, male sex, population group (Whites, Coloureds), not daily tobacco users, not having underweight and overweight.