Association between quality of life related to health and sociodemographical and anthropometric factors in a colombian health institution

Abstract

Introduction:  Quality of life is related to health, thus defined as the subjective perception of an individual´s current capacity to carry out meaningful activities. Such perception is influenced by the current state of health which is turn affected by aging processes.

Objective: To characterize the quality of life related to health and its possible associations with the anthropometric and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess health-related quality of life in the elderly. The study counted 145 participants, ranging from the ages between sixty and ninety-two, who voluntarily participated in the study; A health-related quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) with social and demographic questions was administered.  Height and weight measurements were also taken. With this information, a univariate analysis was carried out.

Results: For the total result of the SF-36 questionnaire, it was found that 60.7% of the participants presented a good quality of life related to health.63.4% of the participants in this study were women and, 67.6% of the overall sample were placed as having upper-middle income. Also, most of the participants were found to have basic schooling (67.6). Regarding social security, 81.4% of the sample belonged to social security health plans and (48.3%) was found to have overweight.

Conclusions: As a result of the analysis carried out, recommendations such as the implementation of social security protection and coverage programs for the elderly, specifically benefitting the females, older adults and those belonging to the subsidized social security system, can be provided.