Associations of chronic illnesses and socio-demographic factors with health-related quality of life of older adults in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study.

Joel Faronbi,Robbert Gobbens,Aishat Ajadi

doi:10.4314/gmj.v54i3.7

Abstract

The increase in life expectancy has brought about a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses among older people. To identify common chronic illnesses among older adults, to examine the influence of such conditions on their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and to determine factors predicting their HRQoL. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 377 individuals aged 60 years and above who were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques in Olorunda Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic characteristics, chronic illnesses, and the World Health Organization quality of life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) containing physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains. About half (51.5%) of the respondents reported at least one chronic illness which has lasted for 1-5 years (43.3%). The prevalence of hypertension was 36.1%, diabetes 13.9% and arthritis 13.4%. Respondents with chronic illness had significantly lower HRQoL overall and in the physical health, social relationships and the environmental domains (all p<0.05) compared to those without a chronic illness. Factors that predicted HRQoL include age, marital status, level of education, the presence of chronic illness and prognosis of the condition. This study concluded that chronic illness is prevalent in Nigerian older people and significantly influence their HRQoL. Age, marital status, and level of education were associated with HRQoL in this group. Postdoctoral fellowship from Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Afric.

Highlights

The population of older people is increasing in all countries of the world
The results showed that older adults with a chronic illness had statistically significantly lower Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) compared to those without a chronic illness in the following domains: physical health, social relationships, t =-5.4150, p < 0.001); and environmental; and the total HRQoL
This is similar to previous study which revealed that 80% of the older adults have at least one chronic illness.[30]

Summary

Introduction

In a country like Nigeria, where the inability of the government to cope with regular payment of pensions to the retired workforce; living in environments with weak health system as well as an acute lack of geriatrics care, is posing an enormous challenge to the health of older people.[2] Chronic illnesses are major health concerns in both developing and developed nations.[3]. They are a leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 63% of all deaths, 29 million deaths worldwide.[4] For a developed nation, chronic illnesses are known to be influenced by lifestyle changes, the effect of urbanisation, and diet[5], while in a developing nation, it may be a result of malnutrition and repeated infection

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion