Being an Elderly Person Living in Metropolitan Cities of Northwestern Ethiopia: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study.

Journal: Clinical interventions in aging

Volume: 18

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2023

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Medical Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden. Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Madda Walabu University, Shashemene Campus, Shashemene, Ethiopia. Department of Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden and School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.

Abstract summary 

As people grow old, they pass through various life courses. Thus, it is important to realize aging in the context of each of these stages, as aging is not only physiological and psychological processes. To understand the lifeworld experiences of the phenomenon "being an elderly person" from the individual perspective was important, in this study, within day-to-day life in Metropolitan cities of northwestern Ethiopia.The aim of this study was to describe the lifeworld of elderly persons living in Bahir Dar and Gondar Cities, Northwest Ethiopia.A community based qualitative study conducted from October 29, 2021 to November 6, 2021. A purposive sampling technique and in-depth interviews were used for sampling and data collection, respectively. To explore the life experience /life-world/ of the elderly, a descriptive phenomenological study was conducted among 15 elderly persons. The audio records were transcribed and the field notes incorporated. Transcribed texts were translated into the English language, and a descriptive phenomenological analysis was done.In this study, the essence of the phenomenon, being an elderly person, means, in an ebb and flow motion, balancing a life change characterized by changing perspective, ambiguity to body functions, and preparing for being released. The elderly experienced physical, mental, and psychosocial changes. They had encountered positive and negative situations throughout their life span. They also expressed that their time was over and wished to prepare for God's Kingdom.The use of phenomenology for this research provided an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the experiences of elderly persons. With knowledge from this study, nurses and other health professionals can understand and support the elderly from an individual point of view.

Authors & Co-authors:  Mekonnen Habtamu Sewunet HS Lindgren Helena H Geda Biftu B Azale Telake T Erlandsson Kerstin K

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  Ethiopia: life expectancy at birth from 2010 to 2020. Available from: https://www.statista.com/statistics/455141/life-expectancy-at-birthinethiopia/. Accessed February 11, 2023.
Authors :  5
Identifiers
Doi : 10.2147/CIA.S389305
SSN : 1178-1998
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Ethiopia;elderly person;lifeworld;phenomenology
Study Design
Phenomenological Study,Descriptive Study,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Ethiopia
Publication Country
New Zealand