Sociodemographic variations in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among elderly individuals in an urban locality in India

Abstract

Background: Elderly population is growing rapidly in India. To direct public health actions to improve quality of life among elderly, it is important to understand the sociodemographic factors associated with quality of life. The aim of study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among urban elderly in a setting of Assam, India, and to examine how HRQOL varied across different sociodemographic groups among the elderly populations. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among elderly aged ≥60 involving 300 participants. Eight domains of HRQOL of participants were measured using RAND SF-36. Analysis of variance test was used to examine sociodemographic differences in HRQOL. Results: The BP domain had highest (71.78 ± 22.25) and GH had lowest mean HRQOL score (48 ± 16.93). Males had significantly higher HRQOL score than females only in BP domain. Age gradients were observed with respect to HRQOl scores in five domains, with youngest age group having the best and oldest age group having the poorest HRQOL. Financially dependent subjects had lower HRQOL in five domains than those who were financially independent. Significant associations between education and HRQOL were found only in physical components of HRQOL, with lowest educated group being the most disadvantaged in terms of HRQOL. Marital status was found to be significantly associated with lower HRQOL scores. Conclusion: The study highlights sociodemographic inequalities in HRQOL among urban elderly in an Indian setting. The results may help reducing sociodemographic health inequalities among elderly in this region initiating public health actions paying more attention toward more vulnerable sections of populations.

A Community-Based Study on Functional Disability and Its Associated Factors Among Elderly Individuals in a Rural Setting in Northeastern India

“…The finding of the study, which is consistent with previous reports from this region, suggests that elderly people of both genders in this region are equally vulnerable to functional disability [ 2 , 17 - 18 ]. In our study, being widowed as opposed to married was associated with greater odds of functional disability after adjustment for age and gender, which is consistent with previous reports [ 2 , 15 , 19 - 20 ]. Mutual support and help between married couples probably influence the positive health outcomes among married couples during older age [ 19 - 20 ].…”

“…The lowest educated group had the highest and the highest educated group had the lowest prevalence of functional disability. Differences in the level of health awareness and health behaviors among individuals with different levels of educations might explain such educational gradients [ 19 - 20 ]. Furthermore, the opportunity to get a job with better income is likely to be less among illiterates or less educated people, which may adversely influence their health spending to keep them healthy [ 19 - 20 ].…”

Relation of health-related quality of life with abnormal weight: A cross-sectional study prior to the weight reduction intervention

“…According to Anandacoomarasamy et al . [ 16 ] and Medhi et al .,[ 23 ] obese subjects had significantly lower general health score that it was in line our results. Furthermore, Class 2 obese healthy individuals had significantly lower general health scores compared to Class 1 obese subjects.…”

Quality of life among community-dwelling elderly in rural and urban areas of Himalayan region, Northeast India: An analysis of factors affecting well-being

“…Research has demonstrated that the level of education has an influence on the measurement of QOL. [ 6 29 ] Similarly, this study observed higher odds of having good QOL scores among literate elderly individuals residing in rural areas. The study also highlights that elderly individuals with financial independence could overcome various physical and environmental barriers in rural hilly areas, which, in turn, can result in enhanced social and psychological well-being of the elderly.…”