Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2021 Dec;24(2):109-119. 10.7587/kjrehn.2021.109.

Factors Influencing Quality of Life among Cancer Survivors: Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) for 2019

• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2524791
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7587/kjrehn.2021.109

Abstract

Purpose
This study was conducted to identify the factors affecting the quality of life among cancer survivors using the results of the 8th National Health and Nutrition Survey.
Methods
Data was collected from the KNHANES Ⅷ-1 (2019). The research tool used the demographic and health related characteristics and quality of life (EQ-5D). Among total 8110 participants, 262 cancer survivors were included in the analysis. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25 version.
Results
The overall mean of quality of life for participants was 0.92±0.13 (range 0~1). There were statistically significant differences in the quality of life results by age (F=6.23, p<.001), marital status (F=7.40 p<.001), education level (F=12.36, p<.001), current economic activity (t=22.28, p<.001), household income (F=5.49, p=.001), cancer type (t=2.61 p=.018), chronic disease (t=21.29, p<.001), health examination (t=5.39, p=.021), cancer screening (t=4.93, p=.027), activity limitation (t=63.93, p<.001), physical activity (F=4.96, p=.008), monthly drinking (t=8.39, p=.004), depressive symptoms (t=13.52, p<.001), private health insurance (t=20.15, p<.001), body mass index (r=-.17 p=.005), subjective health status (r=.42 p<.001), perceived stress level (r=-.18 p=.003). Factors influencing the quality of life of cancer survivors included cancer screening (β=.21, p=003), education level (β=-.22, p=.003), current economic activity (β=.18, p=.010), subjective health status (β=.19, p=.007), depressive symptoms (β=-.15, p=.034), and physical activity (β=.14, p=.037), which explained 24.5% of the quality of life.
Conclusion
To improve the quality of life of cancer survivors, the appropriate intervention is needed for effective management considering various factors which affect the quality of life of the cancer survivors.

Keyword

Cancer survivor; Depression; Physical activity; Quality of life; Subjective health