Original Research Article
Year: 2018 | Month: November | Volume: 8 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 201-208
Factors Associated With Quality of Life of Senior Citizens Residing in Tarakeshwor Municipality, Kathmandu
Raj Devi Adhikari1, Uma Devi Ranjitkar2, Ambika Chand31,2Associate Professor, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Kathmandu
3Lecturer, Maharajgunj Nursing Campus, Kathmandu
Corresponding Author: Raj Devi Adhikari
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Globally, identifying factors associated with quality of life of senior citizens have become a public health concern. Quality of life (QoL) of senior citizen is affected by many factors associated with age related changes in physical in health status, psychological status and changing social role in family. Thus, this study aims to identify factors associated with QoL of senior citizens.
Methodology: This study followed descriptive cross sectional research design. Four hundred sixty two senior citizens aged 70 and above, residing in Tarakeshwor Municipality, Kathmandu was included in a study by using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data was collected from December 25th 2017 to March 23rd 2018 by team members of faculty research through individual interview method by using pretested structured interview guideline in Nepali version. Data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics specifically Chi square and Pearson’s correlation coefficient tests.
Results: This study findings shows that most of the senior citizens were self-dependent on their activities of daily living. Likewise, most of them had good relation with spouses, children, and grand children, family as well as with friends and neighbours. Beside this majority of them had never experienced physical torture, insecurity; humiliation, neglect, sadness, stress where as more than two third experienced loneliness and boredom. Nearly half of them had some level of depression. On overall score of quality of life (QoL) revealed that More than four fifth of senior citizens had at fair level of QoL.
Factors associated with low QoL of senior citizens were demographical factors such as increased age, female sex, living alone low, education and economic status. Also status of dependency on performing moderate household activities of daily living. Also findings revealed negative relationship between increased level of depression and QoL score.
Conclusion: Overall quality of life was fair among these senior citizens. These identified factors as increased age, female sex, living alone, low education and economic status, dependency on performing moderate household activities of daily living and relationship between depression and QoL need to be highly considered while planning health program for senior citizens in Nepalese context from concern authorities.
Key words: Factors associated, Quality of life, Senior Citizen