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. 2021 Jan;10(1):272-277.
doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1241_20. Epub 2021 Jan 30.

Quality of life (QOL) among older persons in an urban and rural area of Bangalore, South India

Lalitha Krishnappa  1 , Suman Gadicherla  1 , Priyadarshini Chidambaram  1 , Nandagudi S Murthy  1
Affiliations

Quality of life (QOL) among older persons in an urban and rural area of Bangalore, South India

Lalitha Krishnappa et al. J Family Med Prim Care. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing ageing population of India has unique challenges due to changing social structure, health issues and inaccessible healthcare facilities. These challenges can adversely affect the quality of life (QOL) of older persons. Hence, this study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the QOL among older persons in an urban and rural area of Bangalore.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study was done among 977 older persons 60 years and above. Census enumeration blocks in urban areas and villages in rural areas were randomly selected and all older persons meeting the inclusion criteria were administered the WHOQOL-Bref questionnaire.

Results: Mean QOL scores (SD) in the physical, psychological, social relationship and environmental domains were 50.5 (5.5), 49.2 (5.5), 49.4 (6.5) and 49.3 (5.1) in rural areas and 57.4 (8.9), 58.6 (8.8), 64.6 (10.8) and 60.0 (9.4) in urban areas, respectively. Compared to urban, rural older persons uniformly have lower QOL irrespective of sex, education or financial dependence.

Conclusion: Inequitable health resource distribution and inadequate social support systems must be addressed to improve the QOL of older persons, especially in rural areas. Primary care providing essential services can bridge this urban-rural divide and improve QOL of older persons.

Keywords: Ageing; WHOQOL-Bref; elderly; older adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sampling of study population
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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