Factores asociados a la percepción de discriminación: edadismo y calidad de vida de la población geriátrica desde un enfoque bioético

INTRODUCTION: There are a set of conditions that directly affect the quality of life of older adults, causing marginalization and discrimination. OBJECTIVE: Determining the biopsychosocial factors that affect the perception of discrimination and quality of life of older adults in the El Oro province, Ecuador. METHODS: Observational, descriptive, qualitative-phenomenological, cross-sectional, cross-sectional study in older adults aged 65 years, between September 2019 and November 2020. The sample consisted of 399 older adults. The questionnaire "Biopsychosocial assessment of older adults from a bioethical approach" was used. The following variables were measured: discrimination and self-perception of quality of life. Multiple correspondence analyses were used to examine the association between discrimination, quality of life and the variables under study. RESULTS: Of the older adults surveyed, 246 (61.7% - 95% CI 0.58-0.66) considered that discrimination exists, with ageism predominating. The variable most related to the perception of discrimination was the treatment in health care, and the family environment. The quality of life in a significant percentage was unsatisfactory due to: their family environment, poor social integration and dissatisfaction with their health. CONCLUSIONS: The main biopsychosocial factors that older adults relate to their perception of discrimination and ageism were treatment in the family environment and in health services, failing to comply with the principles of bioethics. The factors that negatively influence the quality of life of the elderly are related to the family, social integration and health status.