Quality of Life in the Older Population in Sudan-Illustrated by Maslow’s Hierarchical Levels, Experienced Loneliness, and the Importance of Social Support

Abstract

Sudan is one of the countries where the rate of the economically active population is particularly high. The extended family system is still the dominant system in the Sudanese society. The aim of this present study is to understand the concept of quality of life (QoL) with reference to Maslow’s hierarchical level and experienced loneliness for a group of older Sudanese individuals. Forty-two Sudanese older subjects, between 60 and 85 years have participated in the study. Data collected and tools used are an open question about QoL, UCLA scale of loneliness, and a pre-coded and pretested designed question for the collection of social support. Main categories of quality of life, stressed by the older Sudanese, were the religious matters, socioeconomic situation and family and social support. Loneliness questions indicate that participants always felt in tune with people around them. The concept of QoL and experienced loneliness are strongly related to Maslow’s hierarchical level.