Factors related to Quality of Life among Older Women in South Korea: The Impact of Residential Areas

Purpose: As the world population ages, it becomes increasingly important to understand how various factors interact to contribute to older adults’ quality of life. This study aimed to identify the determinants that influence quality of life among women aged 75 years and above.Methods: The data were generated from the Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES Ⅷ Year 1, 2019). This secondary analysis included 417 women aged 75 or older. The data were analyzed using several survey variables (socio-economic status, health habits, EuroQol-5D, etc.). The analyses were conducted using a general linear regression based on a complex sample design, and a decision tree analysis.Results: There were significant differences in the socio-economic status, health status and habits between participants who live in urban areas and those in rural areas. Data analysis determined that participants in rural areas had a significantly better quality of life (p=.034) than those in urban areas. The complex characteristics differed between residents in the different areas.Conclusion: This study indicates that the area in which older women live is an essential factor in accounting for health disparities, providing evidence for developing strategies to improve quality of life considering residential area.