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Sociodemographic and neighbourhood determinants of health-related quality of life among grade-five students in Canada

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Abstract

Objectives

To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of grade-five students in Alberta, Canada, and to assess how this correlates with sociodemographic and neighbourhood characteristics.

Methods

In 2008, we conducted a comprehensive population-based survey among 3,421 grade-five students aged primarily 10–11 years from 148 schools and their parents that included questions on sociodemographic and neighbourhood factors. The HRQOL of the students was assessed using the EQ-5D Canadian English child version (EQ-5D-Y). We applied multilevel multivariable linear regression to examine the independent importance of sociodemographic and neighbourhood factors for the EQ-5D-Y index and EQ-5D-Y Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score.

Results

In five EQ-5D-Y dimensions, problems with ‘walking’, ‘looking after myself’, ‘usual activities’, ‘pain or discomfort’ and ‘worried, sad or unhappy’ were reported by 8.1% (n = 288), 6.5% (n = 215), 11.8% (n = 431), 46.0% (n = 1600), and 37.7% (n = 1292) of students, respectively. Their mean EQ-5D-Y index was 0.86 and mean EQ-5D-Y VAS was 80.4. Children from families reporting higher educational attainment reported higher HRQOL both in terms of a higher EQ-5D-Y index and in terms of a higher EQ-5D-Y VAS. Also, children residing in neighbourhood characterized as providing good satisfaction and facilities reported higher HRQOL.

Conclusions

Public health initiatives to improve HRQOL among children are suggested to take into account the influence of different sociodemographic and neighbourhood characteristics such that priority is given to those residing in towns, rural areas and dissatisfying neighbourhoods with poor access to recreational facilities and stores for fresh products.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all grade-five students, parents and schools for their participation in the REAL Kids Alberta evaluation. We thank all the research assistants and regional health promotion coordinators for the execution of the data collection and Connie Lu and Dr. Stefan Kuhle for data management, validation and quality control. This research was funded through a contract with Alberta Health and Wellness. All interpretations and opinions are those of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, 8303-112 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2T4, Canada

    X. Y. Wu, A. Ohinmaa & P. J. Veugelers

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  1. X. Y. Wu
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  2. A. Ohinmaa
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  3. P. J. Veugelers
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Correspondence to A. Ohinmaa.

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Wu, X.Y., Ohinmaa, A. & Veugelers, P.J. Sociodemographic and neighbourhood determinants of health-related quality of life among grade-five students in Canada. Qual Life Res 19, 969–976 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-010-9663-z

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