Three Latent Classes of Physical Limitations Identified Among Older Vietnamese Adults

An analysis of nationally representative survey data from Vietnam identified three distinct latent classes of physical limitations among older adults, showing consistent patterns across 2019 and 2022.

Using data collected from older Vietnamese persons in 2019 and 2022, researchers applied latent class analysis to identify the classes of physical limitations and multinomial logistic regressions to determine associated factors across both survey waves. The three identified latent classes showed similar trends in both years and were characterized by determinants including age, highest educational attainment, physical health, and social engagement.

Based on these findings, the study authors suggested designing health education campaigns to improve health literacy among older adults, focusing on self-care, daily health-management practices, and the prevention and control of common geriatric diseases.

The methodological framework of the research relied on two analytical approaches applied to nationally representative survey data gathered from older Vietnamese persons in 2019 and 2022. Latent class analysis was employed to examine the latent classes of physical limitations across this population. In parallel, multinomial logistic regressions were adopted to examine the determinants of the latent classes across both survey waves. By analyzing two separate waves of nationally representative survey data, the researchers investigated physical limitations and their associated determinants across both 2019 and 2022. This analytical design enabled the study to explore how physical limitations were grouped and to identify which factors characterized those groups in both years.

The latent class analysis revealed three distinct latent classes of physical limitations, demonstrating similar trends across both survey years. According to the multinomial logistic regression results, these three latent classes were characterized by several determinants observed in the two survey waves. In particular, age, highest educational attainment, physical health, and social engagement were identified as key determinants characterizing the latent classes. The presence of three latent classes with consistent trends in both 2019 and 2022 demonstrated that these patterns and their associated determinants remained evident across both national survey periods.

Based on these findings regarding the latent classes and their determinants, the study authors suggested practical public health measures focusing on health education campaigns. Specifically, they suggested that health education campaigns should be designed to enhance the health literacy of older adults in two primary areas of health maintenance. First, such campaigns should aim to improve health literacy in preventing and controlling common geriatric diseases. Second, they suggested enhancing health literacy related to self-care and daily health-management practices. By focusing on disease prevention, self-care, and daily health management, these proposed health education initiatives seek to respond directly to the determinants identified across the older Vietnamese population.

Subject of Research: Physical limitations and their determinants among older adults in Vietnam

Article Title: Physical Limitations and Their Determinants Among the Vietnamese Older Persons: A Latent Class Analysis with National Surveys

Article References: Doan, T. T. N., & Giang, L. T. (2026). Physical Limitations and Their Determinants Among the Vietnamese Older Persons: A Latent Class Analysis with National Surveys. Ageing International, 51(4), Article 49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-026-09689-1

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1007/s12126-026-09689-1

Keywords: physical limitations, older adults, Vietnam, latent class analysis, aging, geriatric diseases, social engagement, health literacy, Physical, Limitations, Determinants, Vietnamese