HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND ITS DETERMINANTS AMONG THE ELDERLY IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Population ageing has become an important public health issue worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare and social support systems are often inadequate. Health-related quality of life is a multidimensional measure of well-being that reflects the physical, psychological, social and environmental effects of health on an individual's daily life.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life and its determinants among elderly persons in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 642 elderly persons aged 60 years and above selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire assessing the physical, psychological, support and social relationship, and environmental domains of HRQoL. Composite HRQoL scores were categorized as good (≥50%) or poor (<50%). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25. Associations were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, while binary logistic regression identified independent determinants of HRQoL. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Overall, 630 (98.1%) respondents had good HRQoL. Good scores were recorded in the physical health, psychological health, environmental health and support/social relationship domains by 590 (91.9%), 581 (90.5%), 563 (87.7%) and 470 (73.2%) respondents, respectively. Overall HRQoL was significantly associated with age, marital status and work history. Following logistic regression, respondents without formal education were less likely to have good HRQoL, while those who had ever worked were more likely to have good HRQoL.

Conclusion: The majority of elderly persons in Benin City had good health-related quality of life. Educational attainment and work history were independent determinants of HRQoL, while social relationships represented the weakest domain. Interventions that improve educational opportunities across the life course, strengthen economic security and enhance social support are essential to promote healthy ageing and improve the quality of life of older adults.