Quality of Life in the Elderly People Covered by Health Centers in the Urban Areas of Markazi Province, Iran

• Main Authors: Ali Agha nouri, Mahmoud Mahmoudi, Hamide Salehi, Kourosh Jafarian
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences 2012-01-01
• Series: Sālmand
• Subjects: Elderly; Quality of life; Short form 36 questionnaire
• Online Access: http://salmandj.uswr.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-278-90&slc_lang=en&sid=1

Objectives: To improve quality of life in the elderly through proper plans and active involvement of elderly in their family and community, we should get a lot of information about health-related quality of life because the composition of our population has changed. Infact, the aged population is increasingly growing, that this will, in turn, have an effect on economic progression and well-being in the country. Thus, this study assessed quality of life and its determinants in the people aged 60 years and over living in the urban areas of Central Province. Methods & Materials: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic survey that included 165 elderly peoples in the urban areas of Markazi Province. Data was obtained via a general and a quality of life (using SF-36) questionnaire. The results were analyzed by Chi-Square, Fisher, independent T-test, ANOVA, Regression, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The average age of the subjects was 70.7 years (men 44.8% and women 55.2%). The mean of total SF-36, physical and mental components' scores were 55.66&plusmn;22, 51.32&plusmn;21 and 57.30&plusmn;25 respectively. Additionally, the mean scores of eight health-related dimensions were as follows: physical functions 56.26&plusmn;45, role limitations due to physical problems 50.60&plusmn;27, body pain 51.26&plusmn;38, general health 45.26&plusmn;53, vitality 53.24&plusmn;09, social functioning 67.85&plusmn;27, role limitations due to mental problems 57.14&plusmn;45 and mental health 62.88&plusmn;25. Also, the quality of life scores were significantly associated with sex, previous employment, leisure activities, income, current exercising, present disease and drug consumption (P<0.05). Conclusion: Results showed that the elderly's quality of life in the urban areas in Markazi province is in the middle level and the individuals have better mental health compared to physical health. Moreover, various factors are associated with the elderly&rsquo;s quality of life, which require comprehensive planning for eliminating gender discrimination and providing facilities for leisure activities and sports in this aged group.