Social capital associated with quality of life among late adults and elderly population in the Northeast of Thailand

Introduction

Quality of life (QOL) is the extent to which personal perception on comfortable or satisfying of their life in relation to their objectives, expectancy, standards, and concerns. It involves health and happiness, rather than wealth^1,2. It includes all interpersonal and social capital (SC)³.

SC is considered an important imperceptible health resource⁴. With growing recognition of the socioeconomic status (SES), and the social determinants of health, SC is now considered more significant to building healthcare systems^5–7. SC has been described as a feature of social organization, for instance, norms, reliance and networks that can enhance the performance of community by accommodate coordinated actions⁸. The measuring of SC can maybe provision worthy insights into social networks and also connections that persons and communities have and more importantly, how these networks and connections possible have been utilized to encourage the positive outcomes for the person and the community. In this manner, the measuring of SC might augment our understanding of how persons in the community can work cooperatively to manage their problems and to accomplish their common goals. In addition, previous studies indicated that SC was associated with QOL. Particularly Majid Karimzadeh et al. (2013)⁹ indicated that SC is considered as a significant determinant of QOL. This SC is the sum of the actual or potential resources which are linked to a durable network of institutionalized relationships of generalized trustworthiness and active involvement that lead to mutual acquaintance or recognition, which are made up of social obligations or connections. The SC could convertible into economic capital and may be institutionalized in the form of a title of nobility¹⁰. Accessibility to health services can be highly influential on QOL and is related to both health care utilization and health outcomes such as stage at diagnosis and mortality¹¹.

The Northeast of Thailand, the biggest region both in terms of areas and containing one- third of Thailand's 68 million populations. It is the poorest region in the country. Many of Northeastern migrate to work in other regions and overseas. Many of them usually leave family members include elderly at home. This socioeconomic situation might impact people way of life and their SC. The SC is importance in the culture in which they live. The National Bureau of Statistics indicated that SC matters definitely generate impact on QOL in the Northeast of Thailand, demonstrating results that will be applicable to other developing countries in the future.

There have been limited studies on SC among the Northeasterners and its association with QOL. Hence, the aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and association between the SC and QOL in the Northeast of Thailand. The evidence from this study could be used as inputs for relevant sectors to develop measures in order to improve health and reduce inequalities in health through healthy public policy and strengthening community actions.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted during June 2016 to September 2017 in the 4 provinces of the Northeast region of Thailand include Loei, Khon Kean, Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces.

Research tools

The research tool was a structured questionnaire which was developed from reviewing literature. The questionnaire underwent content validation by 3 experts and then it was revised to improve validity. The questionnaire was tested for reliability using Conbach alpha amongst 30 participants who had similar characteristics with the samples in Nakhon Phanom province. Its Conbach alpha coefficient was 0.96. The questionnaire consisted of four parts: (1) socioeconomic (2) social capital; (3) accessibility to health services; and (4) quality of life (Supplementary File 1).

Assessment of quality of life

QOL was assessed using the Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL – BREF) of WHO Thai short version¹⁴. It is consisted of 26 items within the 4 domains containing physical, psychological, social relationships and environment domains. The scores are categorized into 3 groups: poor level (26–60 scores), fair level (61-95 scores) and good level (96–130 scores). Since the multiple logistic regression analysis of Hsieh is for the dichotomous outcome¹³. Therefore, in the bivariable and multivariable analysis we dichotomized the QOL as good QOL and poor/fair QOL, using cutoff point of below 96 for poor/fair QOL and 96 or above for good QOL¹⁵.

Social capital measurement

This study applied the concept of cognition and structure SC developed by Bain and Hicks in 1998. Six dimensions of cognition social capital (CSC) were examined in this study consisted of trust, solidarity, reciprocity, attitudes, behavior and social norms. Four dimensions of structure social capital (SSC) were included: horizontal organizational structure, accountability of leaders, collective/transparent decision-making process and practices of collective action and responsibility¹⁶. The response ranged from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). The SC scores are between 50 and 250. The higher scores reflected greater SC. Since the multiple logistic regression analysis of Hsieh is for the dichotomous outcome¹³. Therefore, in the bivariable and multivariable analysis the scores of cognitive social capital and structural social capital were dichotomized, using the mean as the cutoff point, as low/moderate (<3.68 scores) and high (≥3.68 scores),

Accessibility measurement

The concept of access to health services of Penschansky & Thomas, 1981¹⁷ was utilized in this study. The accessibility to health services was determined in term of individual’s satisfaction on health services covering the domains of accessibility, availability, affordability accommodation and acceptability. The scores ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree (1 to 5 scores). The possible scores ranged 35–175. Higher scores mean higher accessibility. In the associations analysis the mean scores of accessibility to health services were dichotomized since the multiple logistic regression analysis of Hsieh is for the dichotomous outcome¹³, as low/ moderate (<3.68 scores) and high (≥3.68 scores).

Socio-economic status (SES) and risk factors

Socio-economic status in this study composed of gender, age, weight, high, educational attainment, marital status, occupation, monthly income, financial status, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, residential area, and chronic diseases were treated as covariates in the analysis.

To minimized information bias, we trained interviewers and standardized the data collection competency in Loei, Khon Kean, Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces at our interviewer training workshop organized in Khon Kaen province. After the participants understanding of the purpose of this study and then signed consent informs. They were structured questionnaire interviewed by well-trained and standardized interviewers.

Data analysis

STATA^® (ver. 13; College Station, TX, USA: Stata Corp). The categorical data were presents as frequency and percentage whereas the continuous data were explained their magnitude as mean, standard deviation, median, and range.

The GLMM was operated to model the random effects and correlations inside clusters¹⁸ since our study used multistage random sampling methods to choose the participants. In the modeling, the participant residential area was fixed whereas the aged was set as the random effect. Classification of QOL was done using univariable analysis, displayed as percentage of good QOL and its 95% confidence interval (CI).

Bivariable analysis was utilized to define the association of each independent variable with QOL. Any independent variables, in the bivariate analysis that had p ≤0.25 were chosen and continue to the multivariable analysis¹³.

In order to control the random effects and correlations inside clusters, the GLMM were operated before using multiple logistic regressions to determine the association between social capitals, residential area, accessibility to health services, gender, age, monthly income, financial status, and physical activity and QOL while controlling covariates (BMI, marital status, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, chronic disease, and occupation). The final model results presented the magnitude of association of independent variables and QOL were adjusted odds ratio (adjusted OR), and 95% CI.

Ethics statement

This research proposal and tool got approval from the Khon Kaen University Ethics Committee in Human Research, the approval number, HE 602127). Written informed consent was gathered from all participants.

Results

The characteristics and SES of the participants are shown in Table 1. The majority of participants were female (60.63%), married (78.05%), completed elementary school (58.01%), with the average age of 58.36±11.95 years old, live in rural areas (53.48%). As high as 41.81% had average monthly income 5,000 – 15,000, 46.34% were unemployed, 47.3% had adequate income but not saving. Majority were overweight and obesity 54.35%. Most of them did not drink alcohol (75.70%), were not smoking (81.71%), had adequate physical activity (67.86%) Almost one third had chronic disease (32.06%). About half of participants had high cognitive social capital (CSC) (50.26%). Only 36.15% had high level of SSC. About one third (35.28 %) had low level of accessibility to health care services.

Most of the participant (58.19%) had fair level of QOL followed by good (41.03%) and poor levels (0.78%) (Table 2).

Discussion

The main finding was discussed according to the objective of the study as follows: QOL measured by the WHOQOL – BREF. Majority of participants (58. 19%) had fair level QOL, a followed by good level (41.03%). This finding is similar to evidence indicated in Somrongthong R et al.¹⁹ that the majority of participants (58.19%) were at the “fair level”. These two studies were similar in the way that they were conducted in the Northeast. However, they might share similar social economics factors. However, it was lower than study by Hongthong D et al²⁰. Which found that most of the samples (68.5%) had fair level of QOL. This study was conducted among rural settings which might contribute to rather lower level of QOL. About half of participants had high level of CSC and about one third had high level of SSC. It was confirmed by the results of the multivariable analysis that there was significantly association between SSC, CSC and QOL. The participants with high levels of SSC were 2.64 (95% CI: 1.84-3.76) times higher odds of having good QOL. It is possibly because people who participate in political, sports and occupation association or groups may lead to high SSC in term of scope and intenseness of links both within and outside the community. The more social connectedness, political participation, civic engagement they had the more satisfaction with life and relationships were found.

Those with high level of CSC had 2.83 (95%CI: 2.01 to 3.97) times higher QOL than those with lower CSC. A possible explanation for this finding could be the CSC indicates capability of people to obtain various resources of social particular from their family, community, society, and health sectors²¹. People with high CSC are more likely to enthusiastic to find out for information, spiritual contribute networks. They tend to perform with social norms and peer control, could establish trust and be alive with others^22–26.

Concerning accessibility to health services, this study indicated that about one-third of participants had chronic diseases within the past year (32.06%). The participants who had better access to health services were 1.53% (95%CI: 1.10-2.12) higher odds of having high QOL. Access health services have intense effect on every aspect of quality of life. Access to quality health services is significant for promoting health, preventing disease, reducing disability and mortality which is a component of QOL.

Residential area also influenced people’s QOL. In residential area, the influence of different lifestyles and stages of life have to be taken into account. The findings of this studies indicated that participant who lived in the town municipality had high QOL. This may be because the town municipality has good standard of living, good environmental health, better access to goods and health services, and better economic conditions²⁷.

Our result noted that gender was associated with QOL, of which similar with the evidence found in other studies that QOL was significantly varied with gender^28,29. This study has shown that females had significantly poorer QOL when compared with males. Globally, some studied also indicated that females had lower QOL than males^30–32. It was found that 60.72% and 61.41% of females who reported having lower education and monthly income, respectively than males, of had lower QOL. In some studies, higher education and income participants usually had higher QOL scores^30,33. It is common in some countries that females were less privileged with inaccessibility to information and education resulting in disadvantages for employment, economic status and social position. Even though, women lived longer than men, they were more likely to suffer ill health than men³⁴.

The QOL was significantly lower among participant among older persons³⁰. Moreover, with increasing age, the QOL were decreasing, which was consistent with previous studies showed that elderly individuals suffering from poor QOL³⁵. This study provides further evidence the older the individual, the QOL decreases. As the age advances, the health related problems become more common to a person. Gradually people are more weakening and finally confined to their own houses. Loneliness is commonly present. As age increases, the chance of losing spouse becomes more, loneliness increases to a much greater extent. Therefore, overall the physical and psychological QOL becomes poorer with the advancement of age. Beside this, the social interaction decreases with increased age. So, the social relationship domain of QOL becomes worse³⁶.

This study also indicated that monthly income was associated with QOL. Those who had lower monthly income had lower level of QOL³³. A possible explanation for this finding could be that poverty causes poor health status³⁰. Different in employment status and occupation resulted in different income. Therefore, they would have different social security and health insurance which have influence on their health and wellbeing³². The increase in per capita income indicates better socio-economic status³⁶. An increase in per capita monthly income significantly improved the QOL scores.

A profound association was found between having adequate income and QOL. Participants who were poor with inadequate income faced various problems. Having sufficient income is important to QOL It help covering, meeting the basic needs of life. In addition it also increases the opportunity to participate in social activities to enjoy hobbies, holidays and luxuries³⁷.

Physical activity also had high influence on QOL and has been profoundly discussed in the literature³⁸. In this study active physical activity was associated with QOL. For instance, good QOL was found 1.54 times more among participants who had adequate practiced physical activity.

This study has indicated both the QOL and social capital situations and their association which are highly useful to planning for relevant actions. However, it is important to aware that a limitation of cross-sectional study is that because the exposure and outcome are simultaneously assessed, no causal relationship can be identified. It is important suggestion for a further study which could identify the causal relationship using other study designs such as a cohort study.

Conclusion

This community based cross sectional found that less than half of late adults and elderly had good QOL and high level of SSC. About half had high level of CSC. Both CSC and SSC had influence on QOL as well as gender, age, monthly income, financial status, physical activity, residential area, and accessibility to health services. Relevant sectors could use the evident from this study to develop proactive strategies and measures to improve health and reducing inequalities in health through healthy public policy and strengthen community actions to improve their social capital, access to health care and socioeconomic status.

Data availability

Dataset 1: Social capital associated with quality of life among late adults and elderly population in the Northeast of Thailand. Zip file containing raw data and word document with coding scheme for the dataset. 10.5256/f1000research.13954.d201414³⁹