Poverty-Related Quality of Life among Community Dwellers in Barangay Poro, City of San Fernando La Union, Philippines: A Self- Reported Study

Abstract

Poverty and inequality remains a significant problem in spite of the economy’s swift stride of growth over the past two years in Philippines. This study aimed to assess the poverty-related quality of life among community dwellers in Barangay Poro, City of San Fernando La Union, Philippines. A cross-sectional study using the poverty-related quality of life questionnaire was administered to 99 respondents. Overall, the global index score for the poverty-related quality of life among the respondents was 57.09±9.71. Aged 41-50 years had a significantly poorer relationship with family compared with those who were 31- 40 years old (p<0.05). In terms of income, participants with more than P3000 monthly income reported better future perception. The respondents with primary school certificate reported significantly better relationship with friends (t=2.14, p<0.05) and higher global index (t=1.99, p<0.05). Those without health insurance reported better relationship with family (t=-2.69, p<0.01), better autonomy was (t=-2.52, p<0.05) and higher global index was (t=-2.26, p<0.05). In conclusion, respondents' demographic profiles are strongly related to some dimensions of poverty-related quality of life, which strengthens the existing knowledge that socioeconomic status has a key role to play in the quality of life among poor people.

Keywords: Poverty, Quality of life, Social determinants of health