OBJECTIVES

The impact of socio-economic status (SES) on health has been widely studied showing that low SES is associated with Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of demographic and socio-economic factors on HRQoL in the Tunisian general population.

METHODS

Data were collected from a representative sample of the Tunisian population (n=287) aged 20 years and over. The respondents reported the health status using the generic instrument EQ-5D-3L. Regression analyses were used to assess the impact of socio-demographic and economic factors on HRQoL.

RESULTS

Univariate linear regression showed that age fourty and over (coefficient = -0.01, p<0.001), supporting a parent or a child (coefficient = -0.06, p=0.001), free health insurance (coefficient = -0.18, p=0.018) and precarious employment status including unemployed people, students, housewives, part-time and daily workers (coefficient = -0.14, p=0.009) were associated to decline in HRQoL. However, those with private health insurance (coefficient = 0.08, p=0.04) have a better HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Poor SES is associated with statistically HRQoL impairment in Tunisia.