Multilevel Analysis of Factors Affecting Health-Related Quality of Life of the Elderly

Abstract

Purpose: This study identifies the individual and community level factors affecting the health-related quality of life (QOL) of the elderly based on an ecological model using multilevel analysis.Methods: As a secondary research, this study used the raw data, community health survey results, and database 1.0 data on community health outcomes and determinants from the same year. Survey participants were 62,710 respondents age ≥65 of 228,558, and database 1.0 data on community health outcomes and determinants were established targeting 254 regions nationally.Results: The health-related QOL showed differences according to the individual and community level factors. Additionally, estimating the effects of the community level factors through multilevel analysis was needed. In a model in which the individual and community level factors were simultaneously inserted, the significant community characteristic factor controlling the individual level factors was the number of hospital beds per thousand population (p=.028).Conclusion: In the multilevel analysis considering the individual and community level factors, the number of hospital beds per thousand population, which is a factor concerning medical access, was identified as a factor significantly affecting health-related QOL. The results should be considered in allocating and developing community- based healthcare resources and establishing strategies to improve the health-related QOL.