1. Objectives
The time use pattern affects the health and quality of life of the elderly [1, 2]. These patterns are influenced by community context and socio-demographic factors such as gender. In this regard, this study aimed to examine the gender differences in time use among Iranian elderly people.
2. Methods & Materials 
In this study, we conducted a secondary analysis of the 2014 national time use survey data. The samples were 4285 older people aged ≥60 years living in urban areas of Iran. They were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. The study data were collected by filling questionnaires and holding interviews based on time allocation technique. In analyzing data, three concepts of “primary activity”, “participation rate”, and “average time” were considered. Primary activity refers to the major activity that is performed at a specific time. For example, if the subject was watching TV while eating, one of these activities is considered a primary activity. The participation rate is the percentage of people involved in the activity, and the average time is the time calculated for people who do and those who do not perform an activity. The obtained data were analyzed by multiple regression analysis in SPSS V. 20.
3. Results
In this study, 52% of the subjects were male and 48% were female. The mean±SD age of men was 69.2±7.8 years and for women, it was 68.7±7.5 years. About 6.6% of men and 24.5% of women were living alone. Moreover, 5.5% of men and 6.8% of women had disabilities and needed health care. As seen in Figure 1, elderly men devoted more time to paid works (2 h per day vs. 6 min per day in women), while elderly women mostly performed unpaid works such as providing care and services to family members (4.7 h per day vs. 1.7 h per day in men). Furthermore, elderly men performed leisure activities significantly more than elderly women (P<0.05). The sleep time of elderly women was more than that of men, while the time spent on eating and drinking as well as the time for personal care activities in elderly men was more than that in elderly women.
According to Figure 2, the participation rate of elderly men and women in paid works, unpaid works, religious activities, and community volunteering was noticeably different. About 27% of elderly men participated in paid works, while for elderly women, the participation rate was 5%. On the other hand, 93% of elderly women participated in unpaid works (e.g. providing care and services to family members) and for men, it was 69%. Moreover, 72% of elderly women participated in voluntary activities in the community, compared to 63% of older men. Furthermore, the participation rate of elderly men and women in religious activities were 87% and 84%, respectively. Therefore, economic activities are more common in elderly men while social activities are more common in elderly women.
We used multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship of gender with time use patterns by controlling socio-demographic variables. Results showed that gender differences in using time are mostly due to differences in the socio-economic status of men and women and traditional patterns of gender roles.

4. Conclusion 
Time is one of the human resources that is affected by gender. In other words, gender influences time use patterns and time allocation in different ways. Gender differences in patterns of time use are mainly due to gender inequalities in economic and social opportunities, culture and social norms, gender-based division of labor, and the roles of women at home. Hence, welfare policies and programs need to be designed and implemented with the aim of reducing gender differences in old age. Considering the limitations of this study, it is suggested that in future studies, the role of the elderly's time use patterns in their health and well-being be considered, too. Also, considering that this study focused on urban areas, it is recommended that further studies be conducted on time use patterns of elderly women and men in rural areas.
Ethical Considerations
Compliance with ethical guidelines
This study has been approved by Iranian Research Center on Aging and the Research Ethics Committee of University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (code: IR.USWR.REC.1395.350).
Funding
This study has been supported by Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (code: 1493).
Authors' contributions
Conceptualization and methodology: Nasibeh Zanjari and Rasoul Sadeghi; Formal analysis: Rasoul Sadeghi; Investigation, resources, and draft preparation: Nasibeh Zanjari; Editing: Ahmad Delbari; Supervision, and project administration: Nasibeh Zanjari; and Funding acquisition: Nasibeh Zanjari and Ahmad Delbari.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Iran Statistical Center and Statistical Research and Training Center for providing the study data.