Comparison of Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated
with Cognitive Impairment between Rural and Urban
Elderly in Thailand
Sariyamon Tiraphat PhD1, Wichai Aekplakorn MD, PhD2
Affiliation :
1 ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
2 Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To examine the prevalence and risk factors of cognitive impairment in Thai older population living in urban and rural
across the country.
Materials and Methods : The present study used data from the fourth Thai National Health Examination Survey [NHES IV]. The
study population was 6,633 Thai elderly aged 60 years and older living in urban and rural area. Chi-square and multiple logistic
regression analysis were applied to investigate prevalence and predictors of being cognitive impairment among the elderly.
Results : Prevalence of cognitive impairment among older Thai was 10.2%, with 11.7% and 8.7% in rural and urban, respectively.
Signi(cid:976)icant predictors of the impairment among Thai elderly in both rural and urban included living region, gender, age, education,
and active leisure. In addition, perceived poor health status was a signi(cid:976)icant predictor of the impairment in urban elderly, whereas
poor economic condition was a signi(cid:976)icant predictor of the impairment in rural elderly.
Conclusion : The present study has con(cid:976)irmed that education and active leisure are protective factors against cognitive impairment
among Thai elderly. However, poor economic condition and perceived poor health status are the risk factors associated with cognitive
decline in rural and urban elderly, respectively.
Keywords : Cognitive impairment, Urban, Rural, Thai elderly
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