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Factors Associated With Social Participation Amongst Elders In Rural Sri Lanka: A Cross-Sectional Mixed Methods Analysis, Celeste Marsh, Paul A. Agius, Gamini Jayakody, Roshan Shajehan, Chandima Abeywickrema, Kelly Durrant, Stanley Luchters, Wendy Holmes

Population Health, East Africa

Background: Populations of low and middle-income countries are ageing rapidly; there is a need for policies that support an increase in the duration of old age lived in good health. There is growing evidence that social participation protects against morbidity and mortality, but few studies explore patterns of social participation. Analysis of baseline quantitative and qualitative data from a trial of the impact of Elders’ Clubs on health and wellbeing in the hill country of Sri Lanka provided an opportunity to better understand the extent of, and influences on, social participation among elders.

Methods: We analysed data from 1028 …