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Background: Following enhanced malaria control measures, such as nationwide free distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITN) by the government of Cameroon, its impact on malariometric and red cell indices in children ≤14 years in Muea, in the Mount Cameroon area was evaluated. Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted during the malaria transmission season (March-July) in 2006 (baseline) and 2013 (follow-up), respectively. The investigative methods included the use of a questionnaire to assess ITN use and coverage, clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations. Blood sample collected from each child was used for the preparation of blood films for detection of malaria parasites and density as well as full blood count determination using standard procedures and also an automated haematology analyzer. Results: The majority of children (81.5%) possessed an ITN in 2013. The proportion of effective users of ITN increased significantly from 20.9% (CI = 17.3-25%) in 2006 to 35.2% (CI = 31-39.7%) in 2013. The highest relative risk reduction in prevalence during the follow-up study was observed in malaria anaemia (79%, CI = 58.0-69.1% [69.1 to 14.5%]), followed by gametocytaemia (71.6%, CI = 58.9-80.3% [25.6 to 7.3%]), anaemia (64%, CI = 58.0-69.1% [80.1 to 28.9%]), and malaria parasitaemia (57.2%, CI = 51.4-62.3% [85.4 to 36.6%]). In the baseline survey, the prevalence of splenomegaly was significantly highest (χ2 = 18.3, P <0.001) in the youngest group of children while in the follow-up study, it was highest in the oldest (χ2 = 6.03, P = 0.049). The overall prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anaemia in the study population at baseline (59.6, 14.9, 6.3%) decreased significantly (P <0.001) to 24.4, 2.7 and 1.3%, respectively during the follow-up with the highest relative risk reduction in prevalence occurring in moderate anaemia (82.1%, CI = 67.3-90.2% [14.9 to 2.7%]). Microcytic anaemia also decreased significantly (P <0.001) from 56 to 7.7% during the follow-up survey. Conclusion: Following interventions, anaemia (moderate to severe) was a more sensitive measure to changes in malaria exposure and children between 11-14 years of age experienced a significant increase in malaria-related morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older people have more comorbidities than younger groups and multimorbidity will increase. Often chronic conditions affect quality of life, functional ability and social participation. Our study aim was to quantify the prevalence of chronic conditions over a three-year period and their association with mortality after accounting for demographics., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using routinely collected health data including community-dwelling older adults in New Zealand who had an interRAI Home Care assessment between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017. Descriptive statistics and differences between variables of interest among ethnic groups were reported. Cumulative density plots of mortality were developed. Logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex to estimate mortality were created independently for each combination of ethnicity and disease diagnosis., Results: The study cohort consisted of 31,704 people with a mean (SD) age of 82.3 years (8.0), and of whom 18,997 (59.9%) were female. Participants were followed for a median 1.1 (range 0 to 3) years. By the end of the follow-up period 15,678 (49.5%) people had died. Nearly 62% of Māori and Pacific older adults and 57% of other ethnicities had cognitive impairment. Diabetes the next most prevalent amongst Māori and Pacific peoples, and coronary heart disease amongst Non-Māori/Non-Pacific individuals. Of the 5,184 (16.3%) who had congestive heart failure (CHF), 3,450 (66.6%) died. This was the highest mortality rate of any of the diseases. There was a decrease in mortality rate with age for both sexes and all ethnicities for those with cancer., Conclusions: Cognitive impairment was the most common condition in community dwelling older adults who had an interRAI assessment. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has the highest mortality risk for all ethnic groups, and in non-Māori/non-Pacific group of advanced age, risk of mortality with cognitive impairment is as high as CVD risk. We observed an inverse for cancer mortality risk with age. Important differences between ethnic groups are reported., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the general population, has significant healthcare burden. Little is known about AF in octogenarians., Objective: To describe the prevalence and incidence rate of AF in New Zealand (NZ) octogenarians and the risk of stroke and mortality at 5-year follow-up., Design: Longitudinal Cohort Study., Setting: Bay of Plenty and Lakes health regions of New Zealand., Subjects: Eight-hundred-seventy-seven (379 indigenous Māori, 498 non-Māori) were included in the analysis., Methods: AF, stroke/TIA events and relevant co-variates were established annually using self-report and hospital records (and ECG for AF). Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to determine the time dependent AF risk of stroke/TIA., Results: AF was present in 21% at baseline (Māori 26%, non-Māori 18%), the prevalence doubled over 5-years (Māori 50%, non-Māori 33%). 5-year AF incidence was 82.6 /1000-person years and at all times AF incidence for Māori was twice that of non-Māori. Five-year stroke/TIA prevalence was 23% (22% in Māori and 24% non- Māori), higher in those with AF than without. AF was not independently associated with 5-year new stroke/TIA; baseline systolic blood pressure was. Mortality was higher for Māori, men, those with AF and CHF and statin use was protective. In summary, AF is more prevalent in indigenous octogenarians and should have an increased focus in health care management. Further research could examine treatment in more detail to facilitate ethnic specific impact and risks and benefits of treating AF in octogenarians., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Maintaining independence is of key importance to older people. Ways to enable health strategies, strengthen and support whanāu (family) at the community level are needed. The Ageing Well through Eating, Sleeping, Socialising and Mobility (AWESSOM) programme in Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ) delivers five integrated studies across different ethnicities and ages to optimise well-being and to reverse the trajectory of functional decline and dependence associated with ageing., Methods: Well-being, independence and the trajectory of dependence are constructs viewed differently according to ethnicity, age, and socio-cultural circumstance. For each AWESSoM study these constructs are defined and guide study development through collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, and with reference to current evidence. The Compression of Functional Decline model (CFD) underpins aspects of the programme. Interventions vary to optimise engagement and include a co-developed whānau (family) centred initiative (Ngā Pou o Rongo), the use of a novel LifeCurve™App to support behavioural change, development of health and social initiatives to support Pacific elders, and the use of a comprehensive oral health and cognitive stimulation programme for cohorts in aged residential care. Running parallel to these interventions is analysis of large data sets from primary care providers and national health databases to understand complex multi-morbidities and identify those at risk of adverse outcomes. Themes or target areas of sleep, physical activity, oral health, and social connectedness complement social capital and community integration in a balanced programme involving older people across the ability spectrum., Discussion: AWESSoM delivers a programme of bespoke yet integrated studies. Outcomes and process analysis from this research will inform about novel approaches to implement relevant, socio-cultural interventions to optimise well-being and health, and to reverse the trajectory of decline experienced with age., Trial Registration: The At-risk cohort study was registered by the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials registry on 08/12/2021 (Registration number ACTRN 12621001679875 )., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Long-term residential care (LTC) supports the most vulnerable and is increasingly relevant with demographic ageing. This study aims to describe entry to LTC and identify predictive factors for older Māori (indigenous people of New Zealand) and non-Māori., Methods: LiLACS-NZ cohort project recruited Māori and non-Māori octogenarians resident in a defined geographical area in 2010. This study used multivariable log-binomial regressions to assess factors associated with subsequent entry to LTC including: self-identified ethnicity, demographic characteristics, self-rated health, depressive symptoms and activities of daily living [ADL] as recorded at baseline. LTC entry was identified from: place of residence at LiLACS-NZ interviews, LTC subsidy, needs assessment conducted in LTC, hospital discharge to LTC, and place of death., Results: Of 937 surveyed at baseline (421 Māori, 516 non-Māori), 77 already in LTC were excluded, leaving 860 participants (mean age 82.6 +/- 2.71 years Māori, 84.6 +/- 0.52 years non-Māori). Over a mean follow-up of 4.9 years, 278 (41% of non-Māori, 22% of Māori) entered LTC; of the 582 who did not, 323 (55%) were still living and may yet enter LTC. In a model including both Māori and non-Māori, independent risks factors for LTC entry were: living alone (RR = 1.52, 95%CI:1.15-2.02), self-rated health poor/fair compared to very good/excellent (RR = 1.40, 95%CI:1.12-1.77), depressive symptoms (RR = 1.28, 95%CI:1.05-1.56) and more dependent ADLs (RR = 1.09, 95%CI:1.05-1.13). For non-Māori compared to Māori the RR was 1.77 (95%CI:1.39-2.23). In a Māori-only model, predictive factors were older age and living alone. For non-Māori, factors were dependence in more ADLs and poor/fair self-rated health., Conclusions: Non-Māori participants (predominantly European) entered LTC at almost twice the rate of Māori. Factors differed between Māori and non-Māori. Potentially, the needs, preferences, expectations and/or values may differ correspondingly. Research with different cultural/ethnic groups is required to determine how these differences should inform service development.

Background: Understanding falls risk in advanced age is critical with people over 80 a rapidly growing demographic. Slow gait and cognitive complaint are established risk factors and together comprise the Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome (MCR). This study examined trajectories of gait and cognition and their association with falls over 5 years, and documented MCR in Māori and non-Māori of advanced age living in New Zealand., Method: Falls frequency was ascertained retrospectively at annual assessments. 3 m gait speed was measured and cognition was assessed using the Modified Mini-Mental Status Examination (3MS). Frequency of MCR was reported. Gait and cognition trajectories were modelled and clusters identified from Latent Class Analysis. Generalised linear models examined association between changes in gait, cognition, MCR and falls., Results: At baseline, 138 of 408 Māori (34%) and 205 of 512 non-Māori (40%) had fallen. Mean (SD) gait speed (m/s) for Māori was 0.66 (0.29) and 0.82 (0.26) for non-Māori. Respective 3MS scores were 86.2 (15.6) and 91.6 (10.4). Ten (4.3%) Maori participants met MCR criteria, compared with 7 (1.9%) non-Māori participants. Māori men were more likely to fall (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.0-2.43 (P = 0.04) whilst for non-Māori slow gait increased falls risk (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.24-0.68(P < 0.001). Non-Māori with MCR were more than twice as likely to fall than those without MCR (OR 2.45; 95% CI 1.06-5.68 (P = 0.03)., Conclusions: Māori and non-Māori of advanced age show a mostly stable pattern of gait and cognition over time. Risk factors for falls differ for Māori, and do not include gait and cognition.

Background: Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is associated with negative health outcomes, including hospitalisation and mortality. Life and Living in Advanced Age: a Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) is a longitudinal study of Māori (the indigenous population of New Zealand) and non-Māori octogenarians. Health disparities between indigenous and non-indigenous populations are prevalent internationally and engagement of indigenous populations in health research is necessary to understand and address these disparities. Using LiLACS NZ data, this study reports the association of PIP with hospitalisations and mortality prospectively over 36-months follow-up., Methods: PIP, from pharmacist applied criteria, was reported as potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) and potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). The association between PIP and hospitalisations (all-cause, cardiovascular disease-specific and ambulatory-sensitive) and mortality was determined throughout a series of 12-month follow-ups using binary logistic (hospitalisations) and Cox (mortality) regression analysis, reported as odds ratios (ORs) and hazard ratios (HRs), respectively, and the corresponding confidence intervals (CIs)., Results: Full demographic data were obtained for 267 Māori and 404 non-Māori at baseline, 178 Māori and 332 non-Māori at 12-months, and 122 Māori and 281 non-Māori at 24-months. The prevalence of any PIP (i.e. ≥1 PIM and/or PPO) was 66, 75 and 72% for Māori at baseline, 12-months and 24-months, respectively. In non-Māori, the prevalence of any PIP was 62, 71 and 73% at baseline, 12-months and 24-months, respectively. At each time-point, there were more PPOs than PIMs; at baseline Māori were exposed to a significantly greater proportion of PPOs compared to non-Māori (p = 0.02). In Māori: PPOs were associated with a 1.5-fold increase in hospitalisations and mortality. In non-Māori, PIMs were associated with a double risk of mortality., Conclusions: PIP was associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation and mortality in this cohort. Omissions appear more important for Māori in predicting hospitalisations, and PIMs were more important in non-Māori in predicting mortality. These results suggest understanding prescribing outcomes across and between population groups is needed and emphasises prescribing quality assessment is useful.

Background: Prescribing for older people is complex, and many studies have highlighted that appropriate prescribing in this cohort is not always achieved. However, the long-term effect of inappropriate prescribing on outcomes such as hospitalisation and mortality has not been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the level of potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) for participants of the Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand (LiLACS NZ) study at baseline and examine the association between PIP and hospitalisation and mortality at 12-months follow-up., Methods: PIP was determined using STOPP/START. STOPP identified potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) prescribed, START identified potential prescribing omissions (PPOs). STOPP/START were applied to all LiLACS NZ study participants, a longitudinal study of ageing, which includes 421 Māori aged 80-90 years and 516 non-Māori aged 85 years. Participants' details (e.g. age, sex, living arrangements, socioeconomic status, physical functioning, medical conditions) were gathered by trained interviewers. Some participants completed a core questionnaire only, which did not include medications details. Medical conditions were established from a combination of self-report, review of hospital discharge and general practitioner records. Binary logistic regression, controlled for multiple potential confounders, was conducted to determine if either PIMs or PPOs were associated with hospital admissions and mortality (p < 0.05 was considered significant)., Results: Full data were obtained for 267 Māori and 404 non-Māori. The mean age for Māori was 82.3(±2.6) years, and 84.6(±0.53) years for non-Māori. 247 potentially inappropriate medicines were identified, affecting 24.3% Māori and 28.0% non-Māori. PIMs were not associated with 12-month mortality or hospitalisation for either cohort (p > 0.05; adjusted models). 590 potential prescribing omissions were identified, affecting 58.1% Māori and 49.0% non-Māori. PPOs were associated with hospitalisation (p = 0.001 for Māori), but were not associated with risk of mortality (p > 0.05) for either cohort within the 12-month follow-up (adjusted models)., Conclusion: PPOs were more common than PIMs and were associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation for Māori. This study highlights the importance of carefully considering all indicated medicines when deciding what to prescribe. Further follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term effects of PIP on mortality and hospitalisation.

Background: Understanding end of life preferences amongst the oldest old is crucial to informing appropriate palliative and end of life care internationally. However, little has been reported in the academic literature about the end of life preferences of people in advanced age, particularly the preferences of indigenous older people, including New Zealand Māori., Methods: Data on end of life preferences were gathered from 147 Māori (aged >80 years) and 291 non- Māori aged (>85 years), during three waves of Te Puawaitangi O Nga Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu, Life and Living in Advanced Age (LiLACs NZ). An interviewer-led questionnaire using standardised tools and including Māori specific subsections was used., Results: The top priority for both Māori and non-Māori participants at end of life was 'not being a burden to my family'. Interestingly, a home death was not a high priority for either group. End of life preferences differed by gender, however these differences were culturally contingent. More female Māori participants wanted spiritual practices at end of life than male Māori participants. More male non-Māori participants wanted to be resuscitated than female non- Māori participants., Conclusions: That a home death was not in the top three end of life priorities for our participants is not consistent with palliative care policy in most developed countries where place of death, and particularly home death, is a central concern. Conversely our participants' top concern - namely not being a burden - has received little research or policy attention. Our results also indicate a need to pay attention to diversity in end of life preferences amongst people of advanced age, as well as the socio-cultural context within which preferences are formulated.

Background: The number of people of advanced age (85 years and older) is increasing and health systems may be challenged by increasing health-related needs. Recent overseas evidence suggests relatively high levels of wellbeing in this group, however little is known about people of advanced age, particularly the indigenous Māori, in Aotearoa, New Zealand. This paper outlines the methods of the study Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand. The study aimed to establish predictors of successful advanced ageing and understand the relative importance of health, frailty, cultural, social & economic factors to successful ageing for Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand., Methods/design: A total population cohort study of those of advanced age. Two cohorts of equal size, Māori aged 80-90 and non-Māori aged 85, oversampling to enable sufficient power, were enrolled. A defined geographic region, living in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes District Health Board areas of New Zealand, defined the sampling frame. Rūnanga (Māori tribal organisations) and Primary Health Organisations were subcontracted to recruit on behalf of the University. Measures--a comprehensive interview schedule was piloted and administered by a trained interviewer using standardised techniques. Socio-demographic and personal history included tribal affiliation for Māori and participation in cultural practices; physical and psychological health status used standardised validated research tools; health behaviours included smoking, alcohol use and nutrition risk; and environmental data included local amenities, type of housing and neighbourhood. Social network structures and social support exchanges are recorded. Measures of physical function; gait speed, leg strength and balance, were completed. Everyday interests and activities, views on ageing and financial interests complete the interview. A physical assessment by a trained nurse included electrocardiograph, blood pressure, hearing and vision, anthropometric measures, respiratory function testing and blood samples., Discussion: A longitudinal study of people of advanced age is underway in New Zealand. The health status of a population based sample of older people will be established and predictors of successful ageing determined.