Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life Among Elderly: Evidence From Chi Linh Town, Vietnam

Abstract

As Vietnam confronts with the challenge of an aging population, the importance of quality of life for elderly people becomes apparent. This article aims to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its correlates for the elderly, using a cross-sectional study design. A total of 1599 adults, aged 60 years and older, were drawn from the 2016 baseline survey of Chi Linh Health and Demographic Surveillance System (CHILILAB HDSS), which incorporated the EQ-5D, to measure HRQoL. Data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression analyses. The EQ-5D index of the elderly was found to be 0.871 (95% confidence interval = 0.862-0.880). After controlling for covariates, there were statistically significant associations between lower HRQoL and older age (≥80 years), lower education, no pension, chronic disease(s), and health insurance schemes targeting poor/near poor/priority groups. Current and future policies for improving HRQoL in old age should be extended to cover the most vulnerable groups.

Keywords: CHILILAB; EQ-5D; HRQoL; Vietnam; elderly; health-related quality of life.