THE EFFECTS OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS AND HEALTH BEHAVIOUR ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE SATISFACTION IN WOMEN IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Cilj istraživanja: Glavni cilj istraživanja jest ispitati povezanost demografskih i socioekonomskih čimbenika, te različitih aspekata zdravstvenih ponašanja sa zadovoljstvom životom žena koje primaju i koje ne primaju socijalnu pomoć u Republici Hrvatskoj. Ispitanici, metode: Uzorak je sačinjavalo 1 117 žena u dobi od 25-65 godina podijeljenih u dvije grupe. Grupu 1 činile su žene koje primaju socijalnu pomoć (N1=591), a Grupu 2 žene koje ne primaju socijalnu pomoć (N2=526). Uzorak je stratificiran u više etapa slučajnim odabirom prema šest regija Republike Hrvatske, veličini naselja te dobi ispitanika. Patronažne sestre anketirale su populaciju koja prima socijalnu pomoć, dok je u Grupi 2 provedeno samo-intervjuiranje. Korišten je upitnik pod naslovom “Nejednakosti u zdravstvu”. Ispitanici su u studiji sudjelovali dobrovoljno i anonimno. Rezultati: Od demografskih parametara kao statistički značajni prediktori zadovoljstva nađeni su: gradska sredina, život u Dalmaciji, život u Slavoniji dob i stupanj obrazovanja. Svi zdravstveni čimbenici pokazali su značajan utjecaj, s time da je najjači utjecaj socijalno ograničavajućih zdravstvenih problema. Žene koje imaju bilo kakav zdravstveni problem koji ih ograničava u obavljanju svakodnevnih aktivnosti imaju 3.142 puta veće šanse da ne budu zadovoljne životom u odnosu na žene koje takve probleme nemaju. Žene kod kojih su izraženi zdravstveni problemi koji ih ograničavaju u društvenim aktivnostima imaju 3,345 veće šanse da ne budu zadovoljne životom. Žene čije su posjete liječniku učestale ima oko 2,4 puta veću šansu da bude nezadovoljna od žena čiji posjeti liječniku nisu toliko učestali. Žena koja prima socijalnu pomoć a druži se ima 2,59 puta veće šanse da bude zadovoljna životom. Zaključci: Osobni zdravstveni status, dostupnost korištenja zdravstvenih usluga, obrazovanje, druženje sa prijateljima te dobra percepcija o sebi u kontekstu okoline utječu na zadovoljstvo životom te imaju veliku važnost kao prediktori i zaštitni čimbenici zdravlja žena koje primaju financijsku pomoć od države. Obzirom da je u našem kulturološkom krugu ženina uloga u održavanju obitelji, njezine društvene i zdravstvene dobrobiti nezamjenjiva, upravo žene koje primaju socijalnu pomoć od države trebaju biti u posebnom fokusu interesa.Research aim: The main aim of this research is to examine the correlation between demographic and socio-economic factors and different aspects of health behavior and the satisfaction with the quality of life of women who are receiving and are not receiving social assistance in the Republic of Croatia. Participants, methods: The sample consisted of 1,117 women aged 25-65 years, divided into two groups. Group 1 included women who are receiving social assistance (N1=591) and Group 2 those women who are not receiving social assistance (N2=526). The sample was stratified in multiple stages by means of a random selection of six regions of the Republic of Croatia, the size of the community, and the age of the participants. Patronage nurses conducted a survey on the population receiving social assistance, while self-interviews were carried out in Group 2. The “Inequalities in Health” questionnaire was used in this endeavor. The participants took part in the research voluntarily and anonymously. Results: The following demographic parameters were found to be statistically significant predictors of satisfaction: urban environment, life in Dalmatia, life in Slavonia, age, and level of education. All health factors have shown a significant impact, with socially limiting health problems being the most pronounced. Women with a limiting health problem in performing daily activities are 3.142 more likely of not being satisfied with life than women without such problems. Women with pronounced health problems that limit them in performing social activities are 3.345 times more likely to be dissatisfied with life. Women that frequently seek medical assistance are about 2.4 times more likely of being dissatisfied with life as opposed to women whose visits to the doctor are not as frequent. Women receiving social assistance but with a social life is 2.59 times more likely to be satisfied with life. Conclusions: The personal health status, access to health care services, education, socializing with friends, and a good sense of self in the context of one’s environment affect the life satisfaction and are of great importance as predictors and protection of health of those women who are receiving financial help from the state. Obviously, in our cultural context, women’s role as the backbone of the family, her social and health well being is irreplaceable; therefore, women receiving state-provided social assistance should be of particular interest