An Urban Neo-Poverty Population-Based Quality of Life and Related Social Characteristics Investigation from Northeast China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate quality of life (QOL) and related characteristics among an urban neo-poverty population in northeast China, and to compare this population with a traditional poverty cohort. DESIGN: The research was a cross-sectional survey executed from June 2005 to October 2007, with a sample of 2940 individuals ages 36 to 55 in three different industrial cities of northeast China. Data were collected on QOL status and sociodemographic characteristics. QOL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (Chinese version). Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyze association between sociodemographic variables and QOL. RESULTS: The scores for QOL in the neo-poverty group were higher than those in the traditional poverty group, but lower than those in the general population. When the neo-poverty population was divided into two subgroups by age, 36-45 years and 46-55 years, the differences in QOL scores were not significant. However, there were significant differences in several dimensions between two subgroups according to unemployment time (<5 years and >5 years). Additionally, stepwise regression analysis indicated that disease burden, including disease and medical expenditures, was a common risk factor for declining QOL in the neo-poverty group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite some limitations, this study provides initial evidence that the QOL of the urban neo-poverty population lies between that of the general population and traditional poverty. QOL of the neo-poverty group approached QOL of the traditional poverty group with increased unemployment years. In addition to decreased income, disease burden is the most important factor influencing QOL status in urban neo-poverty

Comparison of SF-36 scores between two age groups [Mean (SD)].

<p>Comparison of SF-36 scores between two age groups [Mean (SD)].</p

Comparison for different unemployed years of neo-poverty population with traditional poverty, mean level and general population.

<p>Less than 5 years of unemployment subgroup was above the mean level, and more than 5 years subgroup was under it. The results of BP, SF and RE dimensions in the subgroup with more than 5 years and RE dimension with less than 5 years of unemployment were very close to the scores of the traditional poverty group.</p

Debt differences among three groups [Mean (SD)].

<p>NOTE: missing refers to no debt.</p

Standardized regression coefficients from multivariate stepwise regression of factors influencing QOL in three groups.

<p>NOTE: *<i>P</i><0.05 **<i>P</i><0.01 ***<i>P</i><0.0001.</p

Comparison of people with ≤5 and>5 years unemployment [Mean (SD)].

<p>NOTE: *<i>P</i><0.05 **<i>P</i><0.01</p

Comparison for the scores of three groups in eight SF-36 dimensions respectively, concluded that traditional poverty group and neo-poverty group were lower than general group in the eight SF-36 dimensions (p<0.05), and the scores of neo-poverty group was higher than traditional poverty group (p<0.05).

<p>Comparison for the scores of three groups in eight SF-36 dimensions respectively, concluded that traditional poverty group and neo-poverty group were lower than general group in the eight SF-36 dimensions (p<0.05), and the scores of neo-poverty group was higher than traditional poverty group (p<0.05).</p