title: Quality of life of older people in an urban slum of India.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine different domains of quality of life (QOL) and their relationship to sociodemographic characteristics among older people in an urban slum in India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted (n = 120). Selected individuals were interviewed, and their QOL was assessed by the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF questionnaire. Statistical analysis was then performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of those included in the study population, 61.7% were men, all were Hindus, 46.7% were members of the general caste, 19.2% were illiterate, 35% were unemployed, and 72.5% lived with their joint family (i.e. extended family). Mean scores in each domain studied did not significantly differ between the sexes, age groups, castes, and family types. Subjects with more education, who were married, and with greater income had significantly better QOL scores. Mean scores were also better in certain domains among persons who had their own income and who resided with their children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having low education, being single, lacking personal income, and not living with their children significantly reduced QOL in the elderly subjects. Attention should be given to these factors to help elderly individuals age in a healthy manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan, India.
authors.forename: Somenath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.forename: Sanjib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bandyopadhyay
authors.forename: Saikat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Raghunath
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Misra
authors.forename: Saibal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire; demography; older people; quality of life (QOL)