Health Related Quality of Life and it’s Correlates among Older Adults in Rural Pathanamthitta District, India: a Cross Sectional Study Using SF-36

Abstract

Data on health-related quality of life (HRQL) from India are limited. We conducted this community based cross sectional study to find out the HRQL and its correlates among older adults in one of the most advanced Indian districts in epidemiologic and demographic transition. We selected 300 older adults aged ≥60\xa0years using a multi stage cluster sampling technique from Pathanamthitta district. Information on socio-demographics and self reported morbidity was collected using a structured interview schedule. HRQL was collected using a validated Short Form (SF)-36. We used multiple linear regression analysis to find out the correlates of HRQL. Mean age of the sample was 70\xa0years (SD 8.4). The study constituted 58% women. The mean score of SF-36 subscales ranged from 28.8 for role physical to 78.2 for role emotional. Compared to mean physical component summary (PCS) score (42.2), mean mental component summary (MCS) score (61.2) was higher. Most of the SF-36 component scores were significantly higher among men, better educated, employed, those who lived with spouse, those who did not report chronic illness and those who belonged to upper caste compared to their counterparts. However, significance of physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores was limited to better educated, employed and those who belonged to upper caste. The SF-36 scores on HRQL from this district are likely to be an upper estimate.