Social Frailty Prevalence among Older People in Hong Kong

Abstract

Background: The global increase in the ageing population underscores the importance of a holistic approach to gerontological research. Social frailty, a state of vulnerability, is a growing concern that significantly affects the well-being and health outcomes of older people. With Hong Kong projected to have the world’s largest ageing population by 2050, research on social frailty within this demographic is crucial. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of social frailty among older adults in Hong Kong and examine its association with demographic characteristics. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using data from an online survey on older adults in Hong Kong, yielding 200 respondents. The survey encompassed demographic details, the Social Frailty Scale (SFS-8), and health-related factors. Results: Participants were categorized into three groups: social non-frailty (SNF, 41.5%), social pre-frailty (SPF, 34.5%), and social frailty (SF, 24%). Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed that self-rated health status negatively correlates with social frailty (SF) (r = −0.19, p < 0.001) and the number of diagnosed health conditions (r = −0.29, p < 0.001) but positively correlates with education level (r = 0.14, p < 0.05). Notably, the SPF group exhibited the highest prevalence of high cholesterol, hypertension, visual impairments, and diabetes, followed by the SF and SNF groups. No significant relationship was found between gender and SF, the total number of diagnosed health conditions and SF, or individual chronic diseases and SF. Conclusion: This survey on social frailty among older people in Hong Kong found a higher prevalence of pre-frail and socially frail individuals compared to other regions. While many benefit from strong social support, socially pre-frail and socially frail individuals have reduced interactions, highlighting the importance of social connectedness. The higher incidence of social frailty, especially among the pre-frail, underscores the need to consider Hong Kong’s unique socio-cultural and economic contexts. As the first of its kind in the region, this study paves the way for further research and emphasizes the need for culturally appropriate assessment tools to better understand and address social frailty.