QUALITY OF LIFE OF OLDER PEOPLE RESIDING IN A RURAL COMMUNITY AT BANKE DISTRICT, NEPAL

Background: The quality of life of older people reflects their health status and well-being and is an important area of concern for those involved in the care of older people. The objective of the study was to assess the quality of life of older people residing in a rural community at Banke district, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 368 older people aged 60 years and above in ward number-3 (Karmona, Radhaypur, and Indrapur) of Janaki rural municipality of Banke district. Purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale- BREF. T-test and ANOVA test were used to compare the mean scores of different variables and domains of quality of life. The significance level was set at p <0.05.  Results: The mean score and standard deviation of total quality of life were 72.97±6.91. The      mean quality of life score was lowest in the psychological domain (63.39±7.11) compared to environment (71.56±7.40), social (77.68±10.49), and physical domains (79.24±12.39). A statistically significant difference was observed on total quality of life scores between age groups (p=.001), sex (p=0.047), marital status (p=.001), occupation (p=.004), educational status (p=.001), living status (p=.007), source of livelihood (p=0.001), and physical health problems (p=.001) of older people. Conclusions: In older people, the psychological domain of quality of life necessitates particular attention along with their environment, social, and physical health.