Frontiers in public health
Digital access and structural indicators of social isolation among older adults in Rwanda: a nationally representative study
By Umurerwa M, Tamal SS, Gashugi Y and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Social isolation and reduced social connectedness are important public health concerns among older adults and are associated with adverse health outcomes. In LMICs, digital expansion may offer new opportunities for social connection; however, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa remains limited.
Methods
We analyzed nationally representative data from the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (2019-20), including 2,081 adults aged ≥65 years. Living alone was used as a structural indicator and proxy measure of social isolation. Weighted descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Machine learning models (k-nearest neighbors and gradient boosting) were applied as complementary analyses to assess predictive performance and identify influential predictors.