Factors Affecting the Quality of Life Among the Elderly in Nakhonthai District, Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

Active aging is an important process to improve quality of life among elderly people. This cross-sectional research study aimed to examine the associations between selected factors and quality of life, and to identify predictors linked to knowledge, attitudes and health perception of quality of life among the elderly. The population in this study consisted of 1,651 elderly individuals aged 60-69 years residing in Nakhonthai District, Phitsanulok Province, in fiscal year 2024. A sample size of 330 was calculated using Daniel's (2010) formula for finite population. Systematic random sampling was employed for data collection. Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire composed of personal characteristics, knowledge, attitude, health perception, and quality of life among the elderly. To ensure questionnaire quality, content validity was examined by 3 experts, with IOC values ranging from 0.67 to 1.00. Pilot testing was conducted, and the reliability test using Cronbach's alpha coefficient yielded a value of 0.867. Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Correlation analysis revealed that factors positively associated with quality of life among the elderly at the 0.05 significance level included knowledge, health perception, and attitude, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that the selected factors accounted for 15.60% of the variance in quality of life among the elderly. Only two factors were included in the final model: perceived risk of illness (P-value<0.001) and perceived barriers to health care (P-value=0.012). Therefore, related health workers and providers should consider these factors and cooperate to promote healthy behavior and improve quality of life in the elderly.