J Prev Med Public Health.  2008 May;41(3):173-180. 10.3961/jpmph.2008.41.3.173.

Health-related Quality of Life Assessment by the EuroQol-5D in Some Rural Adults

• Han MA
• Ryu SY
• Park J
• Kang MG
• Park JK
• Kim KS

• KMID: 792554
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2008.41.3.173

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purposes of this study were to examine the health-related quality of life(HRQoL) and to identify its related factors for a group of rural adults.
METHODS
The study subjects were 1,901 adults who were aged 40-70 years and who were living in Naju City, Jeollanamdo. The sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behavior, health status and global self-rated health were collected for statistical analysis. The healthrelated quality of life was measured by the Euroqol EQ-5D instrument. The differences on the EQ-5D index between the groups were assessed with t-test, ANOVA and hierarchical multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
Overall, the mean value of the EQ-5D index was 0.884+/-0.140 and this score was significantly different according to the socioeconomic characteristics, the healthrelated behavior, the health status and the global self-rated health. According to the results from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, the HRQoL was significantly reduced for females, older subjects, and other subjects with no spouse and the subjects with osteoporosis, obesity, mental distress or poorer global self-rated health.
CONCLUSIONS
The HRQoL for rural adults was related to the socioeconomic characteristics, the health status and the global self-rated health. A better understanding of the factors related to the HRQoL would help to improve the rural adults' quality of life.

Keyword

Adults; Cross-sectional studies; Quality of life; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Aged
Female
Health Behavior
*Health Status
Humans
Korea
Male
Middle Aged
*Quality of Life
Questionnaires
Risk Factors
*Rural Population
Social Class