ABSTRACT
Objective:To study the quality of life of elders enjoying five guarantees in rural welfare institute.Methods:By a multi-stage cluster sampling stratification method,549 rural elders enjoying five guarantees(A group)and 131 rural common elders(B group),aged 60 years and older,were randomly selected from 6 counties and cities in Hubei province.The Short-Form 36 Health Survey Scale(SF-36)was employed in the investigation by face-to-face interviews.Results:Group A had higher score than Group B in terms of role limitations due to physical health(RP),general health perceptions(GH),vitality(VT),role limitations due to emotional problems(RE),and mental health(MH )[e.g.,GH:(55.7±23.8)vs.(52.3±24.4),P<0.05].People in mountain areas had lower score than those in both plain and hill areas in terms of all factors of SF-36 scale[e.g.,PF(77.7±22.0),(72.4±25.5)vs.(65.5±26.7),P<0.05].Conclusion:The elders in rural welfare institute have a good quality of life,which is influenced by different geographical situation significantly.