Factors Influencing the Quality of Life among Elderly Fruit Gardener in Chanthaburi Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research aimed to assess the status of the quality of life and its influencing factors among elderly fruit gardeners in Chanthaburi province. Quantitative study samples were 354 senior fruit gardeners aged 60 years old and over, recruited through a stratified random sampling, and data were collected by using a set of questionnaire. A qualitative investigation was also conducted on top of that through an in-depth interview with 20 elderly informants from 19 January to 23 February 2018. Quantitative data were analyzed by frequency distribution, percentage, mean, Chi-square test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Study results revealed that 55.1% of elderly fruit gardeners had a good level of the overall quality of life, and 44.9% had a moderate level. Influencing factors capable of predicting the quality of life among elderly fruit gardeners included social support, physical health, self-esteem, and access to health service (p<0.05). These factors were able to work together in predicting the quality of life among elderly fruit gardeners with 39.2% accuracy. With regard to the lifestyle of elderly fruit gardeners, most of them had good physical health, possessed sufficient ability to perform gardening activities, felt satisfied with fruit gardening career, and showed self-assessment result as having a good quality of life. Agencies related to the promotion of elderly care should focus on organizing activities to promote good physical health and family relationship among the elderly and ensure the availability of conveniently accessible health facilities for them as a way to improve their quality of life.