Instruments for assessing quality of life among older adults in African countries: a scoping review

Abstract

Background Over 60% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa lives in informal settlements (slums) with little or no resources. To be prepared to meet the needs of older people living in slums, it is necessary to know more about their quality of life (QoL). The objective of this review is to identify instruments, which can be used by researchers to assess the QoL of older adults living in African countries, especially those dwelling in slums.Methods A scoping review was performed using the databases Scopus, PubMed, and ISI Web of Science to retrieve studies published between January 2008 – February 2019. Studies were included if they reported generic QoL instruments, focused on adults with a mean age ≥50 and were conducted in African countries.Results In total, 22 studies were included using 14 unique instruments to measure QoL (WHOQOL, SWLS, WHOQOL-OLD, the WHOQOL-BREF, SF-36, SF-12, RAND 36, WHO-SAGE-INDEPTH, CASP-19, CASP-12, the EQ-5D+C, EQ-6D, CAF and the adapted AMS). Almost all instruments could be interviewer-administered and had the possibility for content modification to better suit the research setting. However, little is known about their psychometric properties (validity and reliability), time-investment and cultural sensitivity of the domains included in the instruments.Conclusions Even though this review retrieved instruments used to assess QoL of older adults in African countries, there is a need for further research on adjustment and validation of currently existing QoL instruments. In addition, the development and validation of a new instrument which can be used in (illiterate) older populations, living in slums in Africa should be considered.

Validation of Quality-of-Life assessment tool for Ethiopian old age people

“… 9 , 30 Only in Africa, 14 unique tools were identified from 22 studies to measure QOL in old age people. 24 Furthermore, instruments have been developed specifically for measuring QOL in old age people, including the WHOQOL-OLD, 13 the Elderly Quality of Life Index (EQLI), 31 the Older People’s Quality of Life (OPQOL) questionnaire, 32 and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-AGE questionnaire (WHOQOL-AGE). 33 …”

“…9,30 Only in Africa, 14 unique tools were identified from 22 studies to measure QOL in old age people. 24 Furthermore, instruments have been developed specifically for measuring QOL in old age people, including the WHOQOL-OLD, 13 the Elderly Quality of Life Index (EQLI), 31 the Older People's Quality of Life (OPQOL) questionnaire, 32 and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-AGE questionnaire (WHOQOL-AGE). 33 The WHOQOL-OLD novel form contains a total of 24 items assembled into six domains, each with four items: autonomy (AUT), past, present, and future activities (PPF), sensory abilities (SAB), social participation (SOP), death and dying (DAD), and intimacy (INT).…”

“…Furthermore, the majority of old age Africans are illiterate, making it difficult to use QOL questionnaires that demand users to read and write. 24 …”

Validation of Quality-of-Life assessment tool for Ethiopian old age people

“…9,30 Only in Africa, 14 unique tools were identified from 22 studies to measure QOL in old age people. 24 Furthermore, instruments have been developed specifically for measuring QOL in old age people, including the WHOQOL-OLD, 13 the Elderly Quality of Life Index (EQLI), 31 the Older People's Quality of Life (OPQOL) questionnaire, 32 and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-AGE questionnaire (WHOQOL-AGE). 33 The WHOQOL-OLD novel form contains a total of 24 items assembled into six domains, each with four items: autonomy (AUT), past, present, and future activities (PPF), sensory abilities (SAB), social participation (SOP), death and dying (DAD), and intimacy (INT).…”

“…Furthermore, the majority of old age Africans are illiterate, making it difficult to use QOL questionnaires that demand users to read and write. 24 The lack of validated instruments troubles the accuracy of the data generated and its extrapolation to a larger population, as well as the ability to compare findings through studies. Subsequently, low-quality data can have a detrimental impact on policies and services, as well as efficient use of resources.…”