Quality of Leisure Time in Women Resident in Marginal Neighborhoods and its Relation with Health Related Quality of Life

Background and Quality of spending leisure time reflects individuals’ life style and closely affects their health status. This study investigated the quality of spending leisure time in women resident in marginal neighborhoods and its relation with Health related quality of life (HRQOL). In this cross-sectional study, 576 women, resident in marginal neighborhoods in Kermanshah, were selected using multistage sampling. The information was collected by completing demographic checklist, WHOQOL-BREF and a researcher-made questionnaire on Quality of spending leisure time. Data was analyzed by SPSS-18, using Pearson correlation, Independent t, ANNOVA and Multistage linear regression tests. The mean age of respondents was 32.5±12.9 and almost 23% were not satisfied with the quality of their leisure time. The domains of face to face relations (mean score= 61.7) and educational classes (mean score= 2.4) had the highest and lowest mean scores in quality of spending leisure times. The mean score of total HRQOL was 52.9. The results of regression test showed that only three domains of leisure times (pastime activities, face to face relations and physical exercise activities) remained in the model. This explained 19.6% changes in HRQOL variance. Quality of spending leisure time is an important factor in explaining HRQOL in women resident in marginal neighborhoods. Recreation and sports activities play an important role in enhancing their quality of leisure time. Therefore, providing facilities at community level could be of great benefit in achieving this plan.