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Mental health and quality of life of elderly people in the Bethlehem district: a cross-sectional study.
Lancet 2018 Februrary 22
BACKGROUND: The focus of this study was quality of life and mental health in elderly people living in the Bethlehem district. The aim of this study was to identify the most prevalent mental health problems and how they affect quality of life.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done in June and July, 2010. We recruited a convenience sample of elderly people (aged 65 years and older) living in the Bethlehem district of occupied Palestinian territory. Using a structured questionnaire, we assessed quality of life with the WHOQOL-BREF and current psychological status and distress with the Brief Symptom Inventor. Verbal consent form was obtained from all participants before their interview.
FINDINGS: 291 (97%) of 300 elderly people approached for this study completed the questionnaire. 101 (35%) participants described severe or very severe levels of somatisation. 39 (14%) participants reported severe or very severe obsessive compulsive symptoms, 27 (9%) complained of severe or very severe anxiety symptoms, and 37 (13%) had severe or very severe depression. 135 (46%) participants rated their quality of life as good or very good, but the physical health domain of the WHOQOL-BREF scale had the lowest scores (mean 50·9 [SD 21·4]) of all the domains. 103 (36%) participants perceived their physical health as being good or very good, whereas 95 (33%) participants rated their social life as good or very good. 117 (40%) participants were satisfied or very satisfied with their environment, and 119 (41%) participants evaluated their psychological health as good or very good. A stepwise regression analysis of variables indicated that an increase in psychological symptoms was independently associated with lack of education, living in a rural area, being economically dependent on others, and living with chronic disease. Poor quality of life was independently associated with increased age, lack of education, living in the home of sons, and being economically dependent on others.
INTERPRETATION: In view of the high prevalence of chronic diseases and their negative effect on psychological health and quality of life, we recommend the provision of better health care for elderly people, especially those living in rural areas. Our findings also show the importance of special education programmes for the physical and psychological health of elderly people.
FUNDING: None.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done in June and July, 2010. We recruited a convenience sample of elderly people (aged 65 years and older) living in the Bethlehem district of occupied Palestinian territory. Using a structured questionnaire, we assessed quality of life with the WHOQOL-BREF and current psychological status and distress with the Brief Symptom Inventor. Verbal consent form was obtained from all participants before their interview.
FINDINGS: 291 (97%) of 300 elderly people approached for this study completed the questionnaire. 101 (35%) participants described severe or very severe levels of somatisation. 39 (14%) participants reported severe or very severe obsessive compulsive symptoms, 27 (9%) complained of severe or very severe anxiety symptoms, and 37 (13%) had severe or very severe depression. 135 (46%) participants rated their quality of life as good or very good, but the physical health domain of the WHOQOL-BREF scale had the lowest scores (mean 50·9 [SD 21·4]) of all the domains. 103 (36%) participants perceived their physical health as being good or very good, whereas 95 (33%) participants rated their social life as good or very good. 117 (40%) participants were satisfied or very satisfied with their environment, and 119 (41%) participants evaluated their psychological health as good or very good. A stepwise regression analysis of variables indicated that an increase in psychological symptoms was independently associated with lack of education, living in a rural area, being economically dependent on others, and living with chronic disease. Poor quality of life was independently associated with increased age, lack of education, living in the home of sons, and being economically dependent on others.
INTERPRETATION: In view of the high prevalence of chronic diseases and their negative effect on psychological health and quality of life, we recommend the provision of better health care for elderly people, especially those living in rural areas. Our findings also show the importance of special education programmes for the physical and psychological health of elderly people.
FUNDING: None.
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