Unveiling ageism and aging anxiety in Egypt: A cross-sectional study

Ageism, discrimination based on age, and aging anxiety, fear of aging, pose significant barriers to health equity within communities. In this study, we aim to examine ageism and aging anxiety in Egypt and identify factors associated with ageism among Egyptians. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey involving 359 adult Egyptians, utilizing a questionnaire to gather socio-demographic data alongside the Fabroni Scale on Ageism (FSA) and the Ageing Anxiety Scale (AAS). Additionally, participants were asked about their contact with older adults and their religiosity. Our findings revealed a mean total score of 72.79 ± 6.3 for ageism and 54.33 ± 8.83 for aging anxiety. Factors such as male gender, infrequent contact with older adults, aging anxiety, and insufficient income were found to be associated with higher ageism scores. These results underscore the importance of targeted educational initiatives. Implementing comprehensive educational programs that not only educate individuals about the aging process but also foster positive intergenerational interactions may offer a promising approach to addressing ageism and promoting societal well-being.Results of multiple linear regression analysis of significant variables related to ageism (n= 359): BTp-value95% CILLULMale gender1.6022.2640.0240.2102.994Infrequent contact with older adults2.1583.1100.0020.7943.523Aging Anxiety0.1724.4730.0000.0960.247Insufficient income3.1032.7340.0070.8715.335*Significant p-value < 0.05, B: Coefficients beta, CI: Confidence interval, LL: Lower limit, UL: Upper Limit, Infrequent contact with older adults (rare and sometimes), Insufficient income (not enough)