Abstract :
Introduction: Factors influencing the quality of life (QoL) of senior citizens are many. We evaluated the factors affecting various domains of quality of life in this vulnerable population.
Materials and Methods: A community-based survey was conducted in the Thane District of Maharashtra state, India amongst 427 individuals above 60 years of age. A pre-validated World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) followed by personal interviews was used.
Results: Overall a lower QoL was observed amongst the study participants. Advanced age, female gender, informal education, economically dependence on the family members, low socio -economic status and those with multiple health problems were observed to be associated with poor QoL.
Conclusion: We have identified factors significantly associated with poor QoL amongst the senior citizens living in a slum area. Interventions targeting this vulnerable population (particularly with risk factors) should be explored for their utility in improving the QoL.
Keyword :
Quality of life, senior citizens, sociodemographic factors