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. 2015 May 30;12(3):215–227. doi: 10.1007/s10433-015-0343-2

Table 1.

Characteristics of the study sample (n = 1008)

% Mean SD Range
Socio-demographic and health characteristics
Age in years 68.9 7.37 60–103
Gender (female) 77.3
Level of education 2.8 1.5 1–7
 No schooling 26.0
 Up to Standard 7 59.0
 Standard 8 or higher 15.0
Self-rated health 2.3 .9 1–4
Home environment
Dwelling is ‘permanent home’ 94.7
Dwelling type
 Formal housing 53.8
 Informal housing 41.4
 Squatter housing 4.7
Household amenities
 Electricity (yes) 95.0
 Number of appliances 4.2 1.4 0–6
 Toilet (inside) 34.3
 Water (tap inside) 41.2
Household composition
 Alone 9.6
 No partner but children/family 69.7
 Partner plus children/family 20.6
Household size 3.5 1.5 0–11
Monthly household income
 0–1600 ZAR (0–116 EURO) 65.4
 1601–3200 ZAR (117–226 EURO) 24.8
 >3201 ZAR (>227 EURO) 9.8
Main source of income
 Self 88.9
 Spouse 4.6
 Son/son-in-law 2.8
 Daughter/ in law 3.7
 Grandchild .1
Financial situation
 Worse 30.5
 Same 56.3
 Better 13.2
Feel safe at home 3.2 .8 1–4
Neighbourhood environment
Availability of health services 4.0 1.7 0–6
Time to health services (>31 minutes) 30.2
Transport mode
 By foot (walking) 21.9
 Public/private transport 78.1
Shopping for groceries (yes) 88.6
Organizational involvement
 No involvement 26.7
 1+ organizations 73.3
Meeting attendance
 Once a week or more 34.8
 Once a month or less 23.8
 Never 35.0
Walking outside (yes) 86.0
Feel safe from neighbourhood crime 3.2 .8 1–4
Life satisfaction 5.4 2.3 2–10