Qualidade de vida em idosos: avaliação comparativa segundo a região geográfica de moradia.

Abstract

To evaluate comparatively the quality of life (QoL) in the elderly living in the urban and rural areas of the city of Cuité-PB. Method: Observational, cross-sectional and quantitative epidemiological study of 230 elderly randomly selected, 140 of the urban area and 90 of the rural area. Data were collected during the months of January and February of 2019 by means of a sociodemographic questionnaire and the WHOQOL-Old instrument. The data obtained were organized and processed in the IBM SPSS software and analyzed according to descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The facet that obtained the best evaluation was Sensory Functioning and the worst was Autonomy for both rural and urban elderly. In the overall assessment of QoL, it was found that those living in the rural area showed a better perception, with a statistically significant difference for all facets. Conclusions: Family life, the tranquility of rural life and less stressful habitual activities can be considered as protective factors for a healthy aging, confirmed by the satisfactory self-perception of QOL. It is suggested that qualitative research be developed in this area, so that other elements elucidate the complexity and dynamicity of QOL in the elderly.