Abstract
Background: Reductions in social network and support among the elderly have been found to be a predictor of low quality of life among them. This study was conducted to assess the influence of social network and support on the quality of life among the elderly in Osun State, Nigeria.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to Assess the level of the quality of life of the elderly in this population in Osun State, Nigeria.
Methods: The study employed a cross sectional design of 432 participants aged 60 and above, using a multistage sampling technique.A structured questionnaire was used to collect data.
Results: Findings from the study revealed that majority (47%) of the respondents had a moderate quality of life, 43% had high/good quality life and just 10% were observed to have had poor/low quality of life. Furthermore, the result shows the majority (61.4%) of the respondents had a high quality of life in the physical domain, 31.6% had a high quality of life in the psychological domain, more than half of the respondents (56.4%) had a moderate quality of life in the social relationship domain and 57.3% had a moderate quality of life in the environmental domain.
Conclusion: The study concluded that risk of depression, loneliness, social support and social network statistically significantly influenced the quality of life among the elderly in Osun State. as elderly persons have adequate social support and network, there would be a significant improvement in their quality of life.
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Corresponding Author
Oluwaseun Lara Ariyo
Department of Nursing, Basic Medical Science Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria