The Relationship Between Contextual Factors and the Mobility Ability

Abstract

Objective: To examine how the relationship between Mobility limitation is influenced by Contextual Factors in community-dwelling older adults. Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Participants: A total of 769 persons aged 65 years or above living in the community-dwelling of the Algarve region. Methods: We study eighteen categories of Personal and Environmental Factors agreement of the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) and their relationship with six categories of the Mobility domain. Multiple logistic regression was used in analyzing functional outcomes in the Mobility. Main Results: The proportion of older adults reporting disability in Mobility activities ranged from 17.4% (Moving Around Within the Home) and 53.2% (Using Private or Public Motorized Transportation). The Contextual Factors with a greater impact in explaining the limitations in Mobility outcomes were Assistance Activities of Daily Living (OR = 3.0 to OR = 11.9), JobWithout Qualification (OR=2.5 toOR=6.3), Inadequate Nr of Meals (OR = 2.6 to OR = 3.8) and Self-Rated Physical Health (OR = 2.1 to OR = 3.1). The variable sex contributed to explaining the results of the most difficult activities to perform as Moving Around Outside the Home, Climbing and Use of Transports. The contribution of age was observed only in the Use of Transports. Conclusions: Contextual Factors are important predictors of Mobility functioning, namely, those related to Behaviors and Health Events but also those related to Social and Cultural variables.