Physical, Psychosocial Determinants and Quality of Life of Elderly in the Northeast of Thailand

Abstract

Background: Rising of elderly population is one of a major public health’s concerns. This research aimed to describe physical and psychosocial determinants and identify their association with Quality of Life (QOL) of the elderly population in the Northeast of Thailand. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,113 elderly, who aged 60 years old and older, were multistage random sampling from four provinces of the Northeast of Thailand to response to a structured questionnaire interview. Generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was performed to identify the influence of physical and psychosocial determinants on QOL of elderly in the Northeast of Thailand. Result: Among a total of 1,113 elderly individuals, 54.27% (95%CI: 51.29–57.22) had good QOL, follow by 45.10% (95% CI: 42.15–48.08) with moderate QOL. Factors that were associated with having good QOL among elderly population were; received highly respected as a valuable person (adj.OR= 4.23; 95%CI: 3.12- 5.74), had good social support on accessibility to information (adj.OR= 3.12; 95%CI: 2.24-4.35), had no stress to minimum level of stress (adj.OR= 2.87; 95%CI: 1.92-4.27), had no physical limitation such as fall/ urinary incontinence/ constipation/ eating difficulties/ hearing/ eyesight/ mobilization/ sleeping disorders/ memory loss (adj.OR = 2.25; 95%CI: 1.66-3.06), rural residence (adj.OR= 2.00; 95%CI: 1.44-2.77), and accessibility to health care facility (adj.OR= 1.98; 95%CI: 1.48-2.70). Another significant covariate was being a younger elderly group (60-69 years old) (adj.OR= 1.84; 95%CI: 1.37-2.47). Conclusion: Majority of elderly in the Northeast of Thailand had good QOL. Both physical and psychosocial determinants had influence on QOL the elderly population. Interventions on community to increasing respect as well as communication with elderly are essential especially for the older elderly groups.