[Prevalence of loneliness among older people living in rural areas. Differences by ethnic group and predictor variables].

Background: Loneliness is one of the most recurrent public health problems in older people. However, there is little data available in Chile on its prevalence in people over 60 years of age living in rural areas and belonging to native or Afro-descendant groups.

Aim: To examine the prevalence of loneliness among older people living in rural areas by ethnic group and to analyze the socio-demographic, family, and health variables related to loneliness.

Methods: We interviewed 1,692 elderly people living in Chilean rural areas of the regions of Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Los Lagos, Aisén and Magallanes. The instruments applied were the DJGLS-6 loneliness scale, Family-APGAR, questionnaire of 13 most frequent health problems in Chilean older people, and Barthel index.

Results: We found a high prevalence of loneliness (over 55%) among Afro-descendants, Quechua, Atacameño, Colla, Chango, Huilliche, Kawesqar and non-indigenous people. Emotional loneliness is the most prevalent among indigenous and non-indigenous older people living in rural areas (≥ 71%). Variables associated with loneliness were being female, age, not having a partner, living alone, family dysfunctionality, and having health problems.

Conclusions: Loneliness in rural areas is higher in older people, and this situation becomes more complex at the crossroads of ethnic-cultural diversity; it is necessary to continue to address this problem that affects biopsychosocial well-being in old age.