Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background: Perceptions of ageing, functional ability, and quality of life are important dimensions of healthy ageing. However, evidence on the relationships among these factors among community-dwelling older adults in Southeast Nigeria remains limited. This study examined perceptions of ageing, functional ability, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 119 community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years. Perceptions of ageing, functional ability, and quality of life were assessed using the Perception of Ageing Questionnaire, Global Activity Limitation Index (GALI), and WHOQOL-BREF, respectively. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and study variables. Spearman's rank-order correlation examined relationships between perceptions of ageing and quality-of-life scores, while the Kruskal–Wallis H test compared scores across functional-ability categories. Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc comparisons were performed following significant tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Participants had a mean age of 67.08 ± 8.41 years, with 58.0% being female. Functional limitation was present in 49.6% of participants. The highest Perception of Ageing domain score was for positive consequences (4.03 ± 0.69). Social Relations had the highest WHOQOL-BREF domain score (65.17 ± 16.75), while Environment had the lowest (53.65 ± 15.35). Perception of Ageing differed significantly across functional-ability categories (χ² = 8.177, p = 0.017), with a significant difference between participants with no limitation and those with non-severe limitation (adjusted p = 0.038). No significant correlations were observed between Perception of Ageing and quality of life. Conclusion: Functional limitation was common among participants, while perceptions of ageing varied across functional-ability categories. However, perceptions of ageing were not significantly associated with quality of life.