Prevalence and determinants of quality of life among Rohingya older adults residing in the refugee camp in Bangladesh

Background: Ensuring a good quality of life (QOL) among older refugees is a critical yet underexplored aspect of humanitarian support. Older adults in refugee settings often face unmet basic and healthcare needs, which adversely impact their QOL. This study examines the level of QOL and its determinants among older adults residing in Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five sub-camps of Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, between November and December 2021. The study participants were older adults (≥ 60 years), and data were collected using face-to-face interviews. QOL was assessed using the Older People’s Quality of Life (OPQOL-brief) tool, and data on socio-demographics, self-reported diseases, and lifestyle factors were collected via a pre-tested questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with QOL. Results: Among 864 participants, the majority were male (56.3%), aged 60–69 years (72.3%), and married (79.1%). Approximately three-quarters (71.6%) of participants reported having good QOL. Females (aOR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49–0.98), married participants (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.31–0.74) and those with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (aOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.39–0.75) had significantly lower odds of good QOL than their respective counterparts. Conversely, individuals who were employed (aOR = 3.67, 95% CI: 1.77–7.62), and those living with families (aOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.12–3.04) had higher odds of good QOL than their counterparts. Conclusion: The study found that more than one quarter of the Rohingya older adults did not exhibit a good quality of life, and females, unemployed, married participants, and those who were not living with families and suffering from NCDs were at risk. Targeted interventions are needed particularly for subgroups such as older females and those with chronic conditions. Policymakers and humanitarian organizations should prioritize strengthening social support, particularly for those living alone, to improve self-sufficiency, emotional well-being, and overall QOL.