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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stella-Maria Paddick, Professor Richard Walker, Professor Raj KalariaORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2025 The Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association. BACKGROUND: Social engagement (SE) is increasingly recognized as key modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), yet its role among indigenous African populations is less explored. Understanding how SE influences AD risks, progression and treatment is crucial for developing effective population-specific interventions. We investigated the association between SE, and AD among indigenous Africans from nine countries. METHOD: Data were collected by the African Dementia Consortium as part of the ongoing READD-ADSP study. We analysed a sample of 1,018 participants (509 case-control pairs matched by age, sex and ethnicity). Cases had AD while controls were cognitively unimpaired. SE was assessed through self-reported frequency of interactions with close individuals, categorized as low (<2 times/week) and high (≥5 times/week). Additionally, radio and television listening habits were recorded. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess associations, adjusting for education, living arrangement, urban/rural residence, religion and socioeconomic status. RESULT: Mean age was comparable between cases (75.6 ± 9.5 years) and controls (75.3 ± 9.5 years, p = 0.613). Childhood SE did not differ significantly (p = 0.445) but in adulthood, SE was lower among cases (27.0%) than controls (20.5%). Low SE in adulthood was significantly associated with higher odds of AD (AOR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.33-2.70). More controls (57.7%) than cases (31.8%) listened to radio almost daily, which was linked to reduced odds of AD (AOR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.21-0.43). Watching TV daily was associated with slightly reduced odds (OR=0.69, 95% CI: 0.49-0.99). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that low SE is associated with AD risk in African populations, highlighting the need for socially inclusive interventions to promote social participation and reduce isolation. Future longitudinal research should explore protective factors and underlying mechanisms in diverse African contexts.
Author(s): Akinyemi JO, Scaramutti C, Cai D, Rajabli F, Ogunde GO, Adams LD, Hamilton-Nelson KL, Cuccaro ML, Dorfsman DA, Kunkle BW, Martinez IM, Zaman AF, Sarfo FS, Akpalu AK, Njamnshi AK, Damasceno A, Ayele BA, Zewde YZ, Adoukonou T, Ikanga JN, Boshe J, Ndetei D, Obiako R, Ogundele A, Wahab K, Osaigbovo G, Nwani P, Mlaki DA, Lwere K, Olowoyo P, Elugbadebo OO, Ogunronbi M, Arulogun O, Nichols M, Paddick SM, Farombi TH, Okubadejo NU, Walker R, Baiyewu O, Owolabi MO, Byrd GS, Vance JM, Reitz C, Bush WS, Haines JL, Kalaria RN, Pericak-Vance M, Akinyemi RO, Seixas AA, Ogunniyi A, African Dementia Consortium
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Alzheimer's & Dementia
Year: 2025
Volume: 21
Issue: S6
Online publication date: 23/12/2025
Acceptance date: 02/04/2018
Date deposited: 08/01/2026
ISSN (print): 1552-5260
ISSN (electronic): 1552-5279
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc.
URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70860_106892
DOI: 10.1002/alz70860_106892
PubMed id: 41433941
Notes: Supplement: Public Health
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