Demographic and clinical characteristics of older people with multimorbidity accessing primary healthcare in Malawi: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Multimorbidity is a growing global concern, affecting patient outcomes and healthcare costs. In low- and middle-income countries, data on multimorbidity in primary care beyond prevalence is limited. Our study explored the demographic and clinical characteristics of multimorbidity among older people attending primary health care in Malawi.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on medical records from 15,009 older patients aged ≥50 years across three hospitals in Malawi (one tertiary, two district). Data from 2019-2021 was analyzed using R statistical software to examine patterns of multimorbidity (two or more chronic conditions). Outcome estimates were adjusted for sex, age, location, and year of clinic visit.

Results

The overall prevalence of mult

SUBMITTER: Kwaitana D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11773524 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature