Factors related to the quality of life elderly people from a Quilombola Community of Paraíba

Abstract

The article presents factors related to the quality of life of the elderly in a quilombola community in Paraíba. A cross-sectional study, conducted with elderly people of both sexes, residents of the Quilombola community Caiana dos Crioulos, Alagoa Grande/PB, Brazil, registered in the E-SUS as residents of that community. The dependent variable is health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the independent ones are socioeconomic-demographic profile, health status, nutritional status and muscle strength. Spearman correlation, simple and multiple linear regression (CI 95%; p<0.05) were performed to verify the relationship between the variables. Forty-five elderly people (66.6% women) were evaluated, with a mean age of 71.3 years, 42.2% of which had poor HRQOL in the physical component and 44.4% in the mental component. Symptoms indicative of depression, the number of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the sittingrising test together explained 37% (R²=0.379, p<0.05) of poor HRQOL. Symptoms indicative of depression, the number of CNCDs and the siting and rising test are related to poor HRQL in this population in the physical component. Comprehensive and priority care by public health services is suggested in order to control and reduce the occurrence of physical and psychological diseases and maintain muscle strength.