A Comparison of Lifestyle, Health Status and Quality of Life of Adult Women living in Urban and Rural Areas

도시와 농촌 지역 성인여성의 생활양식, 건강실태 및 삶의 질 비교

Purpose: This study was done to investigate the need to develop health promotion programs for adult women and to compare lifestyle, health status and quality of life in adult women in urban and rural areas. Method: The participants were women over 20 years old, 451 living in 3 cities and 436 living in 1 rural areas. Data collection was conducted from April 6 to August 30, 2004. Results: For lifestyle, the percentage of women having regular medical examinations, cholesterol tests, regular exercise, and high alcohol intake were significantly higher for urban women compared to the rural women. For health status, the percentage of women with health problems such as arthritic pain, urinary incontinence, pregnancy and postpartum complications, and the experience of violence were significantly higher for rural women compared to urban women. Rural women had significantly lower scores for health perception compared to urban women. For quality of life, rural women had significantly higher scores for quality of life, especially for the psychological wellbeing and stability subscales. Conclusion: The above findings indicate that it is necessary to develope a health promotion program which reinforces healthy lifestyle and health status for rural women, and quality of life, for urban women.