Assessment of Quality of Life Among Elderly Population of The Urban Slum of a Tertiary Care Center: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The Quality of Life (QoL) among the elderly is influenced by socioeconomic status, health conditions, social support, and healthcare access. The study aimed to assess the QoL and its associated factors in elderly residents of an urban slum. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above in an urban slum near a tertiary care center. QoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire across four domains: physical, psychological, social, and environmental. Data on sociodemographic and health-related factors were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. Results: Participants had a mean age of 66.6 ± 6.84 years, with 53.6% females. Government healthcare was preferred by 49.1%, and 45.9% followed combined treatment approaches. Domain scores were: physical (82.13 ± 11.30), psychological (81.89 ± 12.41), social (34.98 ± 7.2), and environmental (93.73 ± 16.62). Common comorbidities included joint pain (56.4%), dental issues (30.5%), hypertension (31.8%), and diabetes (23.6%). Minimal physical activity was reported by 35.9%, and 60.5% followed a mixed diet. Social isolation was low, with 90% not feeling isolated. Socio-economic status, marital status, and family type significantly influenced QoL. Conclusion: Elderly residents in the urban slum exhibited favorable QoL in physical and environmental domains but faced challenges in social well-being. Health issues and socio-economic disparities significantly affected QoL. Targeted interventions are essential to improving health, social engagement, and equity in urban slums.