A survey of quality of life among elderly population in Yogyakarta: A questionnaire-based study

Abstract

Indonesia, as one of the world's developing countries, faced a demographic transition. Indonesian people's life expectancy has risen over time. It imposed the escalating elderly population in Indonesia. Quality of Life ( QoL) was an important assessment to be measured in the elderly as many comorbidities involved. This research aimed at determining QoL among the elderly population and QoL-related factors. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 210 elderly participants attending Yogyakarta's Elderly Community Services (Poslansia). QoL was evaluated using WHOQOL-BREF. Socio-demographic variables were analyzed using a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. QoL score differences among elderly characteristics were analyzed using Mann Whitney test. QoL score among respondents showed dimensions of social relationships had the lowest score among domains (QoL score 46.78 ± 10.72). Participants with spouses had better QoL scores than widowed participants (p 0.032). Participants who had better QoL scores than smoker participants (p<0.001) based on smoking status. Participants who frequently do physical activity had better QoL score than participants who rarely do physical activity (p<0.001). Participants with chronic disease had lower QoL score than participants without chronic disease (p<0.001). Participants taking routine medication had better QoL score (p<0.001) based on drug behavior. This study revealed the social relationship domain had the lowest score among the elderly population domains. QoL based on elderly characteristics was significantly different by marital status, smoking status, physical activity, chronic disease and routine medication. Further investigation can be done to explore factors affecting social relationships in older subjects.