scholarly journals Association between sexuality and quality of life in older adults

Author(s):  
Edison Vitório de Souza Júnior ◽  
Diego Pires Cruz ◽  
Cristiane dos Santos Silva ◽  
Randson Souza Rosa ◽  
Gabriele da Silva Santos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association between the experiences of sexuality and quality of life in older adults. Method: Cross-sectional study developed with a total of 300 older adults living in northeastern Brazil. Data collection was carried out entirely online between August and October 2020. Participants completed the online questionnaire containing three instruments for assessing bio sociodemographic data, sexuality and quality of life. Data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation and multivariate linear regression tests, adopting a 95% confidence interval (p < 0.05). Results: Older adults experience better affective relationships and have better quality of life in sensory abilities and intimacy. In the regression analysis, only affective relationships (β = 0.510; [95% CI: 0.340–0.682]; p < 0.001) and physical and social adversities (β = −0.180; [95% CI:−1.443–0.434]; p < 0.001) remained associated with the general quality of life of older adults. Conclusion: Health professionals must invest in training, development of individual and group educational interventions, in addition to promoting the strengthening of bonds between older adults so that they feel free and comfort in expressing their intimate needs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001268
Author(s):  
Angela Koipuram ◽  
Sandra Carroll ◽  
Zubin Punthakee ◽  
Diana Sherifali

IntroductionPersons of South Asian descent have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The management of T2DM in the South Asian community has required the support of adult children, potentially impacting the quality of life, diabetes-related knowledge, and risk perception among these caregivers.Research design and methodsTo investigate diabetes-related knowledge, quality of life, risk perception, and actual risk of developing diabetes among South Asian young adults whose parents are living with T2DM. A cross-sectional study was conducted (n=150). An online survey was administered. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in diabetes-related knowledge between males and females (p<0.001). Males (in comparison to females) had a lower risk perception of developing diabetes (p=0.06). Further, risk perception and diabetes-related knowledge were positively associated with caregiver’s physical health (p=0.002).ConclusionFindings highlight the importance of providing gender-specific and culturally tailored diabetes educational interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 672
Author(s):  
Alessandra Buja ◽  
Guendalina Graffigna ◽  
Simona F. Mafrici ◽  
Tatjana Baldovin ◽  
Carlo Pinato ◽  
...  

Ensuring multiple sclerosis (MS) patients’ adherence to therapy is often challenging, but it is crucial to their survival and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to outline connections between adherence, physical and mental HRQoL, levels of psychological readiness to engage in a treatment, levels of social support, anthropometric, socio-demographic and clinical factors in patients suffering from MS. This cross-sectional study involved a sample of 237 Italian MS patients. A survey was conducted with a structured self-administered online questionnaire using validated measures of quality of life, adherence to therapy and anthropometric, socio-demographic, psychological and clinical variables. A path analysis was used to test the overall structure of the associations between the variables. The pathway indicates a positive association between mental health index and a stronger degree of engagement and being or having been in a long-term relationship. Physical health index was positively associated with age, having an occupation, and having a specific form of MS. Having had relapses in the previous year raised the odds of better adherence to therapy, while an increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) reduced them. Our findings could help in the management of MS patients, promoting behavioral interventions that take the psychological and socio-demographic peculiarities of each patient into account with a view to improving their adherence to therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-172
Author(s):  
Joel Faronbi ◽  
Aishat Ajadi ◽  
Robbert Gobbens

Background: The increase in life expectancy has brought about a higher prevalence of chronic illnesses among older people.Objectives: To identify common chronic illnesses among older adults, to examine the influence of such conditions on their Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), and to determine factors predicting their HRQoL.Method: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 377 individuals aged 60 years and above who were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques in Olorunda Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic characteristics, chronic illnesses, and the World Health Organization quality of life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) containing physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains.Results: About half (51.5%) of the respondents reported at least one chronic illness which has lasted for 1–5 years (43.3%). The prevalence of hypertension was 36.1%, diabetes 13.9% and arthritis 13.4%. Respondents with chronic illness had significantly lower HRQoL overall and in the physical health, social relationships and the environmental domains (all p<0.05) compared to those without a chronic illness. Factors that predicted HRQoL include age, marital status, level of education, the presence of chronic illness and prognosis of the condition.Conclusion: This study concluded that chronic illness is prevalent in Nigerian older people and significantly influence their HRQoL. Age, marital status, and level of education were associated with HRQoL in this group.Keywords: Chronic illness, Health-Related Quality of Life, Older adults, Socio-demographic factorsFunding: Postdoctoral fellowship from Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Afric


Author(s):  
Juan Martínez-Galiano ◽  
Antonio Hernández-Martínez ◽  
Julián Rodríguez-Almagro ◽  
Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez ◽  
Ana Rubio-Alvarez ◽  
...  

Background: Discomfort during the puerperium period is very frequent in the lives of women but the influence of this discomfort on the women’s quality of life has been little studied. The objective of this study is to establish the association between discomfort and frequent problems of women in the puerperium and their quality of life score. Methods: A cross-sectional study on postpartum Spanish women was performed. Women older than 18 years and who had had a live birth were included. Less than 1% of women refused to participate in the study. Data were collected on socio-demographic, obstetric and newborn variables, on maternal problems/ discomfort in the postnatal period and on parameters that are quality of life indicators. An ad hoc online questionnaire which included the SF-36 Health Survey was used. Crude mean difference (cMD) and adjusted mean difference (aMD) were calculated through multiple linear regression. Results: 2990 women participated in the study. The greater problems causing quality of life loss were depressive symptoms (aMD = −12.40, CI 95%: −10.79, −14.01), lactation problems (aMD = −4.30, CI 95%: −2.97, −5.63), problems for sexual intercourse after childbirth (aMD = −6.34, CI 95%: −5.07, −7.60) and urinary incontinence (aMD = −4.97, CI 95%: −6.30, −3.65), among others. These have been detected as risk factors that affect the quality of life of the postpartum woman. Conclusions: The discomfort and problems manifested in the 6 weeks after childbirth have an influence that deeply affects the quality of life of postpartum women.


BMJ Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. e011503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Bélanger ◽  
Tamer Ahmed ◽  
Afshin Vafaei ◽  
Carmen Lucia Curcio ◽  
Susan P Phillips ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Teresa Valenzuela ◽  
Claudia Rodriguez ◽  
Diego González ◽  
Andres Glasinovic ◽  
Rodrigo Guzmán-Venegas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Aging is a gradual process characterized by damage to the physiological functions that frequently lead to dependence in the older adults of 60 years or older. We hypothesize significant differences in mental and physical capacity between fully independent older adults and slight to moderate dependent older adults. Method: A cross-sectional analysis of 322 older adults of 60 years or more, with a Barthel Index equal to or higher than 60, who attended day centers during August 2018 in Santiago-Chile was used. Quality of life, physical ability, cognitive capacity, and symptoms of depression of fully independent with slight to moderate dependent older adults are compared.Results: A higher proportion of older adults with complete independence have higher levels of quality of life and mobility. Even a small reduction in independence has a significant reduction in quality of life. An increase from a 60-90 score to a 91-99 score in the Barthel Index rises 42% [CI95% 18-66] the EQ-5D score, this difference increases to 49% [CI95% 29-70] for full independence. Climbing stairs and incontinence in urination are the two main activities related to having a lower independence level (lower than 100 Barthel Index score). Ambulation and climbing stairs are the two main activities related with lower than the cutoff levels of normality for quality of life (EQ5D) and physical condition (TUG). Finally, urine and bowel incontinence, and lower levels of ambulation are the main activities related with symptoms of depression (Yesavage score).Conclusion: There were significant differences in health-related measures among different levels of independent older adults. Understanding the potential causes of these differences could help prioritize the focus of multidimensional programs on health and prevention with the aim of prolonging older adults’ state of independence and improving their quality of life.


Author(s):  
Nisreen Al Awaji ◽  
Monira Aldhahi ◽  
Shahnaz Akil ◽  
Salwa Awad ◽  
Eman Mortada

Substantial changes in life dynamics resulting from the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could have an impact on the quality of life (QoL) of mothers of children with and without disabilities. This study compared the quality of life (QoL) of mothers of children with disabilities (MCD) to the QoL of mothers of children without disabilities (CON) in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 lockdown. It explored mothers’ concerns and the type of support they need during the quarantine. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted during the lockdown. An online questionnaire was distributed to mothers raising children with and without disabilities in Saudi Arabia. A total of 340 mothers participated in the study by completing the survey: 93 MCD and 247 CON. The QoL of MCD and CON was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Furthermore, detailed information was provided by the mothers regarding their needs and concerns during the lockdown. The results of the study revealed that the overall QoL was significantly higher in the CON group, compared to the MCD group, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The social well-being and environmental well-being reported by MCD were significantly lower on the total scale of the WHOQOL-BREF than those reported by the CON group. The comparison between the two groups revealed significant differences in the support required by mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a higher percentage of MCD needed emotional and psychological support, especially from family members. The major concerns reported by MCD were the deterioration of their children’s medical conditions and the lack of medical supplies during the lockdown.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242942
Author(s):  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Tarka Bahadur Thapa ◽  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
Saruna Ghimire ◽  
Krishna Kumar Yadav ◽  
...  

Background The ageing population in most low-and middle-income countries is accompanied by an increased risk of non-communicable diseases culminating in a poor quality of life (QOL). However, the factors accelerating this poor QOL have not been fully examined in Nepal. Therefore, this study examined the factors associated with the QOL of older adults residing in the rural setting of Nepal. Methods Data from a previous cross-sectional study conducted among older adults between January and April 2018 in in rural Nepal was used in this study. The analytical sample included 794 older adults aged ≥60 years, selected by a multi-stage cluster sampling approach. QOL was measured using the Older People’s Quality of Life tool; dichotomized as poor and good QOL. Other measures used included age, gender, ethnicity, religion, marital status, physical activity, and chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and depression. The factors associated with QOL were examined using mixed-effects logistic regression. Results Seven in ten respondents (70.4%) reported a poor QOL. At the bivariate level, increasing age, unemployment, intake of alcohol, lack of physical activity as well as osteoarthritis, COPD and depression were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of a good QOL. The adjusted model showed that older age (AOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28–0.90), the Christian religion (AOR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.20–0.70), and of an Indigenous (AOR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14–0.47), Dalit (AOR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.10–0.56), and Madheshi (AOR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14–0.60) ethnic background were associated with lower odds of good QOL. However, higher income of >NRs 10,000 (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.43–3.99), daily physical activity (AOR: 3.33; 95% CI: 2.55–4.34), and the absence of osteoarthritis (AOR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.09–3.49) and depression (AOR: 3.34; 95% CI: 2.14–5.22) were associated with higher odds of good QOL. Conclusion The findings of this study reinforce the need of improving QOL of older adults through implementing programs aimed at addressing the identified biosocial and disease conditions that catalyse poor QOL in this older population residing in rural parts of Nepal.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
R.E. EDIRIWEERA DE SILVA ◽  
M.S.A. PERERA

Background: This study aimed to assess the quality of life (QoL) and identify factors influencing it in older adults attending a University Family Practice situated in a semi-urban area in Sri Lanka, a lower middle income country. Objectives: To describe the QoL among older adults attending the Family Practice Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Design: A descriptive cross sectional study. Setting Family Practice Centre, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Participants: 140 registered older adults >60years who attended the centre over 3 months in 2012. Results: The majority of participants (51.4%) were between 60-69years, females (65%), 67.9% were married, and (88.6%) lived with their families. QoL was satisfactory, with spiritual and functional aspects being the most satisfactory and physical QoL being the least satisfactory, however latter too had a mean score (>50). Better QoL was seen in males, with better education, married and living with spouse, and perceived adequacy of income. Poorer QoL was seen in participants living alone, presence of 3 or more health problems, being admitted to hospital or, and accidents and falls in the past one year. Conclusions: QoL in this group of older adults was satisfactory with spiritual and functional aspects being the most satisfactory and the physical aspect being the least. Preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and accidents could help to improve QoL in older adults.


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