Assessment of the Quality of Life and Living Conditions of the Rural Population of the Kazakhstan during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ainagul M. Tulegenova; Gaukhar Dauletova; Zhandulla Nakipov; Gulzat Sarsenbayeva; Gulzhan  Dossybayeva; Zhanat Sadibekova; Karlygash Raissova; Assiya Turgambayeva

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2022.7879

Authors

Ainagul M. Tulegenova Department of Public Health and Management, NJSC “Astana Medical University”, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Gaukhar Dauletova Department of Public Health and Management, NJSC “Astana Medical University”, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Zhandulla Nakipov Department of Public Health and Management, NJSC “Astana Medical University”, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Gulzat Sarsenbayeva Department of Medical Insurance and Public Health, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Gulzhan Dossybayeva Department of General Practitioner N2, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Zhanat Sadibekova Department of Social Health Insurance and Public Health, South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, Shymkent, Kazakhstan
Karlygash Raissova Department of Science and Professional Development, National Centre of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
Assiya Turgambayeva Department of Public Health and Management, NJSC “Astana Medical University”, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2300-0105

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2022.7879

Keywords:

Quality of life, Rural settings, Availability of health and social services, Primary health care, COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low availability of medical care and low level of comfort living in rural areas, underdeveloped infrastructure, and difficult working conditions lead to the deterioration of health of rural residents. Rural areas are characterized by less comfortable living conditions than in the city, which can affect health-related quality of life.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the satisfaction of the population with the quality of life in rural areas as well as to study the quality of life of the rural population of the Republic of Kazakhstan related to health.

METHODS: This study was a one-stage cross-sectional study. Online questionnaire was asked by 411 local residents, of which only 302 were suitable for processing.

RESULTS: The results showed that almost a third of the respondents are unemployed (27.2%). In the course of the survey, respondents could subjectively assess their own health, for example, almost a third of respondents (35.76%) assess their health as “poor” and “below average.” At the same time, 18.21% of respondents are not satisfied with the quality of medical services provided in rural areas. The coefficients of correlation between the desire to move to the city and age, income level, family composition, marital status, and type of housing were established. The universal social functioning-36 index was 0.6 (±0.02) for women and 0.55 (±0.033) for men

CONCLUSIONS: We can say that the quality of life of the rural population remains quite low. This is evidenced by low income, high unemployment, and the problem of drinking water. Quarantine measures related to COVID-19 also had an impact on the increase in unemployment, however, during the quarantine, there is a deterioration in mental health indicators among men compared to women. The results of the study confirmed that the issue of accessibility of medical services remains very urgent for rural residents.

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