Health related quality of life of the elderly in a Peri-Urban Community in South-South Nigeria

As there is a global increase in the population of the elderly in both absolute number and as a proportion of the total population, there is also a corresponding need to evaluate the quality of life and health problems of the elderly especially in developing nations. There is an apparent little or no attention to the wellbeing of the elderly in these countries. Objective: This study was therefore designed to determine the health problems and also the health-related quality of life of the elderly who reside in Esan West Local government area of Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology: By means of an interviewer administered structured questionnaire in a cross-sectional study design, 249 elderly persons aged 65years and above who reside in Ekpoma, Esan West Local government area of Edo State, Nigeria were selected through cluster sampling technique. Their socio-demographic characteristics, medical/social problems and income were elicited using a questionnaire coined from parameters in the old peoples' questionnaire on quality of life (OPQOL). Data was analysed using SPSS version 21. Multiple linear regression model was used to predict the impact of the independent variables on quality of life. Results: The ages ranged from 65-130 years with a mean age of 75.4 ± 10.37, with majority of the respondents (58.4%) within 65-74 years, female (57.6%), married (48.0%) and no formal education (33.2%). Reported chronic diseases were hypertension (28.4%), diabetes (12.8%), arthritis (26.8%), eye problems (31.8%) while 5.6% had dementia. Most (76.4%) were lonely and 40.4% had severe financial constraints. The mean quality of life scores was 77.5% in all domains. There was a relationship between the age, marital status, education, income, presence of chronic diseases and quality of life (p<0.05). The older elderly, the married, those with higher education, regular income and those with no chronic disease had better QOL scores. Presences of chronic and regular income were the conclusive predictors of quality of life. Conclusion: Quality of life decreases with poor physical health and low income in the Nigerian elderly. Poor quality of life and well-being, and health status in older people are significantly related to marital status, sex and age. Thus, the quality of life is still a major concern for the elderly population and a clear public health challenge requiring immediate intervention. Recommendation: It is therefore recommended that a national policy on ageing be put in place that will comprehensively address their peculiar needs including provision of social welfare services like subsidized medical expenses and subsistence allowance.