title: The role of stable housing as a determinant of poverty-related quality of life in vulnerable individuals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify potential socio-demographic and socio-economic determinants associated with quality of life (QoL) in impoverished individuals admitted in emergency departments (EDs) using a self-administered multidimensional poverty-related QoL questionnaire (PQoL) and a generic QoL questionnaire (Duke).
  
  
  METHODS
  cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten EDs in France.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants included in this study lived in impoverished conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected socio-demographic information, economic data, and data related to the ED visit. Multiple linear regressions were performed to determine which variables were linked to QoL scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three-hundred and eighty-seven individuals were enrolled, and 378 (98%) responded to the QoL questionnaires. PQoL was significantly lower for single individuals (β from -0.15 to -0.23), without a stable home (β from -0.17 to -0.34) and individuals without general health coverage (β = 0.20). Compared with men, women reported lower scores in the psychological well-being dimension (β = -0.19) and higher scores in the relationships with friends dimension (β = 0.17).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Not having stable housing was the most important factor associated with low QoL in impoverished people. This finding demonstrates the need for support from policymakers at the national and local levels for these vulnerable populations.
authors.affiliation: EA 3279 - Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life - Research Unit, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13284, France.
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baumstarck
authors.affiliation: EA 3279 - Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life - Research Unit, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13284, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.affiliation: EA 3279 - Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life - Research Unit, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille 13284, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Auquier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006304:Health Status; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: PQoL; determinants; emergency; poverty; quality of life