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Investigating the Quality of Life in Rural Areas on the Outskirts of Metropolises: Application of World Health Organization Standard Questionnaire

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Abstract

This study aimed to examine the quality of life (QoL) in the rural regions of Tehran metropolis in Iran, with a focus on the large population of rural migrants residing there. To conduct the study, a total of 61,402 households residing in the rural areas of Tehran metropolis were considered as the statistical population. To obtain a sample that accurately represents this population, a multi-stage random sampling approach was utilized. The resulting sample size consisted of 382 households (n = 382). The present survey study utilized a non-experimental, causal-correlational methodology to examine the state of quality of life (QoL) and its association with overall health and life satisfaction in Rural and peripheral regions. The findings showed that among the four aspects of QoL, physical health (with an average of 3.62) had the highest rank. Furthermore, psychological health, social relations, and environmental situation were in the second to fourth ranks, respectively with averages of 3.37, 3.17, and 3.15. The results revealed that the total score of QoL in the range of (4–20) was equal to 13.31, and in the range of (0–100), it was 58.18. Hence, the quality of life (QoL) in the rural regions of the Tehran metropolis is unsatisfactory and requires immediate attention. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the QoL in rural areas on the outskirts of the Tehran metropolis. By identifying the factors that contribute to the QoL, policymakers and local authorities can develop targeted interventions to improve the living conditions and well-being of residents in these areas. This predicament is widespread in many developing countries, and the findings of this investigation can be utilized to prioritize policy and strategic planning in rural areas adjacent to metropolises. Moreover, it can facilitate the attainment of the Millennium Goals.

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Data Availability

The datasets analyzed during the current study are available in the Dataverse repository: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.57760/sciencedb.09704.

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Acknowledgements

The authors hereby express their special gratitude to all the respondents who completed the study questionnaires with great patience as well as the surveyors and interviewers who did their best in terms of data collection.

Funding

This study received no findings from any organizations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, 1497713111, Iran

    Leila Ardestani, Shahla Choobchian & Hassan Sadighi

  2. Department of Economics and Rural Development, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium

    Hossein Azadi

Authors
  1. Leila Ardestani
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  2. Shahla Choobchian
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  3. Hassan Sadighi
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  4. Hossein Azadi
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Correspondence to Shahla Choobchian.

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Ardestani, L., Choobchian, S., Sadighi, H. et al. Investigating the Quality of Life in Rural Areas on the Outskirts of Metropolises: Application of World Health Organization Standard Questionnaire. Int. Journal of Com. WB 7, 121–137 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42413-023-00203-y

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