Health Conditions and Healthcare Trajectories of the Elderly in Rural Africa: A Study Using Data from the Mlomp Demographic Surveillance (Senegal)

Résumé 0

Demographic surveillance sites contribute to the knowledge of health conditions in rural Africa, but little is known about the situation of the elderly. This specific population is studied here using data from Mlomp, a demographic surveillance site located in Senegal. In 2005, persons over 60 years old represented 10% of the inhabitants of Mlomp and the proportion of aged persons staying alone was larger than the local average. Estimated life expectancy at age 60 was 17years. Causes of death assessed through verbal autopsies (VAs) and medical information provided by local health services are not always precise but the share of infectious and parasitic diseases seems relatively high despite the predominance of non-communicable diseases. The histories of diseases leading to death reported in the VAs by relatives of deceased individuals reveal a low use of health services and a lack of care provision for the oldest adults. Death in old age is considered natural and is expected. Our study also suggests that gender differences exist. Women are more often widowed and potentially have fewer relatives to care for them, but they are also more likely to use health services than men. In conclusion, we pinpoint the need for further demographic and anthropological studies on health and health seeking practices to target healthcare policies for the elderly population.