Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40447993›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2025

Clinical and research implications of the findings of the Tanzania 2022 Population and Housing Census for the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for older adults in Tanzania.

Damas Andrea Mlaki, Victor Valcour, Andjelika Milicic, Elaine Allen, Stella-Maria Paddick, Aaron Berkowitz, Raina Kiama, Bruce Miller

Abstract read
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Article in BMC geriatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Damas Andrea MlakiGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San Francisco, Suite 3C08, Weill Neurosciences, 1651 4th Street, Box 3020, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA. damasandrea@yahoo.co.uk.
Victor ValcourGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San Francisco, Suite 3C08, Weill Neurosciences, 1651 4th Street, Box 3020, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
Andjelika MilicicGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San Francisco, Suite 3C08, Weill Neurosciences, 1651 4th Street, Box 3020, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
Elaine AllenDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, 550 16th St., San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
Stella-Maria PaddickCampus for Aging and Vitality Newcastle University, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 6BE, UK.
Aaron BerkowitzGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San Francisco, Suite 3C08, Weill Neurosciences, 1651 4th Street, Box 3020, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
Raina KiamaNational Bureau of Statistics, 64 Lusinde Road, Tambukareli, Dodoma, 41104, Tanzania.
Bruce MillerGlobal Brain Health Institute, University of California San Francisco, Suite 3C08, Weill Neurosciences, 1651 4th Street, Box 3020, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe identification of dementia using valid and reliable neuropsychological tests is crucial for the development of effective preventive interventions, treatments, and care plans.

methodsWe analysed the 2022 Population and Housing Census data in Tanzania to determine the age-adjusted prevalence of subjective memory, hearing, and visual complaints and explore factors that may influence the development and suitability of neuropsychological assessment batteries among adults aged 60 and older. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates were calculated using the WHO Direct Method. Logistic regression models were performed to examine the factors associated with memory complaints. Mediation analysis was conducted using path analysis, and the significance of the indirect effects was tested using bootstrapping procedures.

resultsAdults aged 60 + constituted 5.7% of the population. The median (IQR) age was 68 (60-97) years. Literacy and numeracy rates were 59.7% and 67.7% respectively. The age-adjusted prevalence of subjective memory, hearing, and visual complaints, were 7.3% (95%CI: 7.2-7.4), 7.5% (95%CI: 7.4-7.6), and 16.3% (95%CI: 16.2- 16.4). Being married (AOR 0.83; 95%CI: 0.74-0.93; p = 0.002) and having a seven-year education or more (p ≤ 0.001) reduced the odds of memory complaints, while hearing (AOR = 4.62; 95%CI: 4.37-4.88; p ≤ 0.001) and visual (AOR 7.12; 95%CI: 6.78-7.47; p ≤ 0.001) complaints increased the likelihood of memory complaints. Age (p ≤ 0.001) and female sex (p ≤ 0.001) accounted for 21% and 7% of the effects of sex and education on subjective memory complaints respectively.

conclusionLiteracy and numeracy decrease with age in adults aged 60 and older in Tanzania. Hearing and visual complaints are common among seniors; they are more prevalent in rural areas and increase the risk of memory complaints. Our findings may inform the development and suitability of neuropsychological tests for seniors and highlight the need for policymakers to develop dementia prevention interventions and improve access to vision and hearing services for this group. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

CensusesDementiaHousingNeuropsychological TestsPopulation SurveillanceAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceTanzaniaCensusClinicalLiteracyNeuropsychological testsOlder adultsResearchTanzania

Identifiers

PMID40447993
PMCPMC12123829

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.