Quality of life and its influencing factors among rural elderly in Henan province

Objective To study the quality of life (QOL)and its influencing factors among rural elderly in Henan province,and to provide references for making relevant policies.Methods With multi-stage random cluster sampling,a total of 4 850 residents aged≥60 years were recruited from 60 natural villages of six municipalities or prefactures in Henan province.The QOL of the participants was measured with a self-designed questionnaire and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).Results The average QOL dimension scores of SF-36 from high to low were 70.20±25.81 for role-emotional,66.33±14.85 for vitality,63.46±22.45 for physical function,63.15±26.11 for role-physical,61.2±11.1 for mental health,50.10±11.64 for generl health,44.60±13.00 for social functioning,and 36.06±22.04 for bodily pain,respectively.Multivaritate logistic regression analysis revealed that age,marital status,status of the spouse,number of children,filial piety of children,whether with chronic disease,and living status were influencing factors of QOL among the elderly (all P<0.05).Conclusion The QOL of rural elderly in Henan province is at a low level and influenced by several demographic factors.The care of children and family members and improvements in healthcare system and social support in rural areas could enhance QOL of the rural elderly.