Multivariate Analysis Approach on the Study of Quality of Life: A Case Study in Some Towns of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Genanew Timerga Neri

doi:10.11648/j.ajtas.20150406.31

Abstract

Quality of life (QOL) is gaining interest from a variety of disciplines and important tool for policy evaluation, rating of cities, urban planning and management. Cities are the center of economy, politics, commerce and other activities, so very necessary to analyze the conditions that contribute to the quality of urban life. This study identifies the factors that affect QOL of the people in the region. 809 household heads were selected based on stratified random sampling method. Different statistical methods have been used to analyze the primary data. Factor analysis is used to reduce the number of dimensions of both subjective and objective quality of life into few, which are unrelated to each other. Binary logistic regressions and ordinal logistic regressions are also applied to identify the most significant factors that can affect quality of life in the region. The principal component analysis revealed that 6 dimensions of QOL were extracted from 20 subjective attributes; namely; housing, economic, environmental, neighborhood safety and security, social connectedness and quality of public service. Binary logistic regression model shows all of the dimensions are significantly related to QOL. Factor analysis extract 6 factors using 15 objective attributes, namely; socio-economic, access to public service, access to education, housing, religion and length of residency are found to significant predictor of QOL in objective dimensions of the region. Religion and length of residence have positive impact and other have negative contribution to QOL. Results of this study can be used in designing future urban QOL studies in the region.

Highlights

IntroductionQuality of life (QOL) is gaining interest from a variety of disciplines such as planning, behavioral medicine, marketing and management and is becoming an important tool for policy evaluation, rating of places, urban planning and management
Quality of life (QOL) is gaining interest from a variety of disciplines such as planning, behavioral medicine, marketing and management and is becoming an important tool for policy evaluation, rating of places, urban planning and management.The term “quality of life” is used to indicate the general well-being of people and societies
Sampling technique This study has been conducted in selected Zone towns, in Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), Ethiopia from November 2013 to June 2014

Summary

Introduction

Quality of life (QOL) is gaining interest from a variety of disciplines such as planning, behavioral medicine, marketing and management and is becoming an important tool for policy evaluation, rating of places, urban planning and management. The term “quality of life” is used to indicate the general well-being of people and societies. It is often associated with the term "standard of living" but the two do not necessarily mean the same. A standard of living merely is the evaluation of the wealth and employment status of a person in a society. Though both are factors to determine quality of life, these are not its sole indicator. A person’s environment, physical and mental health, education, recreation, social well-being, freedom, human rights and happiness are significant factors

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Conclusion