Objective

To determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the general population from the urban area of Bucaramanga.

Materials and Method

Cross-sectional survey conducted between September and November 2013. The SF-36 questionnaire was applied to measure HRQoL in the general population of four neighborhoods selected for convenience. The information was systematized in Excel and scores for each domain were calculated and compared by age, sex, occupation, schooling and socioeconomic status of the participants.

Results

Interviews were conducted with 1 098 people, aged between 15 and 99 years, 732 (66.7%) women, with an average age of 46 years, median of schooling of 11 years, residents in socioeconomic strata 1 to 4, dedicated mainly to commerce/services and home. The scores in all the domains were above 60%, which is considered an indicator of good HRQoL; however, HRQoL decreases as age increases. On the other hand, men showed better HRQoL scores than women in all domains, as well as students and people with higher education.

Discussion

The HRQoL in this population was reported as good, although differences were identified by age, sex, education and occupation that may suggest inequities in the access and use of health services. These findings guide health promotion actions aimed at improving HRQoL in these vulnerable groups as part of the strategies of the Ten-Year Public Health Plan of the city.