Reliability and Intra Urban Variability of a Quality of Life Index: Findings of Pilot Studies of Young Women in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Research on health and quality of life among young adults living in the slums is relatively sparse. This analysis aimed to: 1) assess the reliability of the Uganda Youth Quality of Life (QOL) Index across two pilot studies, and 2) examine intra-urban differences in QOL domains among young women in three slum communities of Kampala.
Methods: Data from two consecutive pilot studies conducted among young women and girls in Kampala, Uganda were utilized for this analysis (n=60). These pilot studies were originally designed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of daily diaries and wearable devices for the larger cohort study (“TOPOWA”, meaning empowerment). The QOL domains (living conditions and lifestyle, social relationships, and personal independence) were obtained from the Uganda Youth Quality of Life Index (part of baseline survey). Comparisons in QOL domains between the two pilots were conducted to examine reliability, and inter-urban differences were analyzed across the three study sites (Banda, Bwaise, and Makindye).
Results: The mean age of all participants was 20.1 years, and nearly one-third reported having children. While the QOL index demonstrated reliability across pilots (no significant differences in domain scores or life satisfaction, p=0.59), significant intra-urban differences were found. Participants in Bwaise reported consistently higher satisfaction across multiple domains compared to Banda and Makindye. However, satisfaction with their current dwelling was highest in Makindye (F=4.7, p=.02). Overall life satisfaction also differed significantly by site (F=5.2, p=.008).
Conclusions: The Uganda Youth Quality of Life Index was reliable across the two pilot studies. However, intra-urban differences were noted across Kampala, suggesting that urban slum communities have a high degree of variability in life satisfaction and may warrant targeted interventions which address community differences.