Health status, quality of life and related factors among the elderly living alone in Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province in 2018

Abstract

The cross-sectional study described health status, quality of life and related factors among the elderly living alone in Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province in 2018. The study was conducted among 215 the elderly living alone by using the questionnaires to assess to the quality of life of the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF). Data collection method was direct interview the elderly living alone according to the prepared questionnaire. The results showed that chronic diseases accounted for 85.1 percent, but only 52.6 percent of cases are properly treated. In terms of quality of life, the average assessment was 53.0 ± 13.9. The highest value was found in the social aspect with 61.4 points; 52.2 points for the psychological aspect; 51.5 points for environmental aspect and the lowest value was in the physical aspect with 4711 points. In addition, the study showed that age, marital status, income, chronic diseases, communicate with other people and physical activity related to the quality of life. This research shows that the health status and quality of life of the elderly living alone is at low level. Therefore, the role of the family, community and the government in caring and supporting single elderly people is essential.