Quality of Life of the Elderly During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran; A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aims Populations are generally susceptible to the new coronavirus, but the elderly are more susceptible to severe disease and are admitted to the intensive care unit, and the mortality rate is higher in elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. Instrument & Methods The present cross-sectional survey was conducted on 461 Iranian elderly. Data collection tools include a questionnaire focusing on the quality of life in physical and mental dimensions. Stark quality of life questionnaire to adapt and be useful in COVID-19 disease outbreak conditions; only short phrases have been added to relate it to the disease. Data analysis was done using independent t and ANOVA tests. Findings The highest percentage of the obtained score was assigned to, the practices to avoid infection with COVID-19 (48.1) and anxiety or fear of being affected (47). Among the domains of stigma, the most important predictor of anxiety or fear of being affected was the policy of health settings (R2=0.735). Conclusion Therefore, it can be concluded that the quality of life of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic was low. Men also enjoyed better conditions in comparison with women. © 2023, the Authors.