Evaluation of the quality of life among elderly people in the city of Salahaddin, Iraq

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the quality of life of elderly people living in Salah al-Din, Iraq, and to evaluate the related factors. Methodology: This study was conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study at Al-Duluiya General Hospital and Al-Balad General Hospital in the Salahuddin region between April and June 2022. The sample of the study consisted of elderly individuals (n = 278) who received service in these hospitals during the determined data collection period and voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected using the socio-demographic form and the elderly quality of life questionnaire (OPQOL-35). Results: The mean score of OPQOL-35 for the elderly was 115.02 ± 38.91, and significant differences were found between some variables. The results of the study revealed that various factors such as age, gender, marital status, educational level, financial situation, place of residence, smoking and alcohol consumption, the presence of children, and the presence of chronic diseases are important in the quality of life of the elderly. Conclusion: It has been found that the quality of life level of the elderly is at an average level. The general quality of life of the elderly is lower in individuals with lower education level and lower financial income. For this reason, while focusing on improving the social support and financial situation of the elderly at the macro level, interventions should be planned to improve individual health behaviors.