Determinants of quality of life of geriatric population in rural block of Haryana

BACKGROUND: The quality of life (QOL) of the geriatric population in India is an important issue because of the lack of social security schemes and dilution of Indian culture which ensures due care and regard to the elderly. The primary health care physicians have to face more challenges in handling the elderly patients in comparison to the younger patients because the elderly have more physiological and emotional problems along with medical conditions and illnesses which, in turn, affect their QOL. The study aims to find out the determinants that affect the QOL of the elderly in a rural area of Haryana. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This observational study with a cross-sectional design was carried out among 400 elderly (60 years and above) in a rural area of district Jhajjar, Haryana. The world health organization quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) scale was used. Data entry and analysis were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. RESULTS: The mean score of the environmental domain was the highest (62.72 ± 14.18), followed by the physical health domain (60.77 ± 15.82). Education, age group, caste, marital status, occupation, and socioeconomic status exhibited significant relationships with different domains of QOL. CONCLUSIONS: With the advancement of age, QOL deteriorates. Higher education and higher socioeconomic status of the study participants help them to live a better QOL. Those participants who were married and were busy in any kind of work experienced a better QOL.