Household structure and living arrangements among older persons in selected West Africa Countries: evidence from demographic and health surveys
Population studies
32
Issue: 3
(12 - 2018)
Background: Older persons’ living arrangements are currently major development discourses across
Africa. With the increasing family nucleation, weakening traditional ties and support networks, what is
the emerging pattern of living arrangements of the older persons within this changing social system in
West Africa?
Methods: The study utilized DHS household data on older persons aged 60 years and above in selected
West African countries: Benin Republic, Cote d’lvoire, Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo
(n=31,695).
Results: Results showed that West African older persons had an average of 5.0 household network
members; proportion living alone were higher among women (21.6%) than men (10.4%), majorly
widows (31.3%) or single/divorced (38.0%). Household network, headship and living arrangements
varied significantly across countries by age, sex, education, marital status and wealth quintile (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The study concludes that the emerging pattern of older persons living alone is relatively
high, suggesting age-friendly re-assessment of the traditional support system and household resources
allocation.
Keywords: Living arrangements, household structure, elderly, older person, West Africa, support
network
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