Life-space mobility, perceived neighborhood characteristics, and health-related quality of life among older adults in a Nigerian community

Life-space mobility and perceived neighborhood characteristics are important factors that may be associated with health-related quality of life among older adults. However, evidence from community-dwelling older adults in Nigeria remains limited. This study examined the associations between life-space mobility, perceived neighborhood characteristics, and health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older adults in Enugu, Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 85 older adults aged 60 years and above residing in Uwani, Enugu South Local Government Area. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, including the Life-Space Assessment (LSA) to assess mobility, the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) to assess perceived neighborhood characteristics, and the EQ-5D-5 L to assess health-related quality of life. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participants’ socio-demographic characteristics and study variables. Spearman’s rank correlation (ρ) was used to examine the associations between life-space mobility, perceived neighborhood characteristics, and health-related quality of life. Because the analyses were exploratory, no adjustment for multiple comparisons was applied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean EQ-5D-5 L index value was 0.64 ± 0.31. Life-space mobility was positively associated with health-related quality of life (ρ = 0.375, p < 0.001). Among the neighborhood characteristics, land-use mix access (ρ = 0.340, p = 0.001) and perceived personal safety (ρ = 0.274, p = 0.011) were positively associated with health-related quality of life, whereas no statistically significant associations were observed for the remaining neighborhood domains ( p > 0.05). Greater life-space mobility, better access to neighborhood destinations, and higher perceived personal safety were associated with better health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older adults in this study. Given the cross-sectional design and exploratory nature of the analyses, these findings should not be interpreted as evidence of causality. The findings suggest that life-space mobility and perceived neighborhood characteristics warrant further investigation as potentially important correlates of health-related quality of life among older adults. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations and inform evidence-based interventions.