Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Aging and Quality of Life Among Elderly People in the City of Buta (DRC): A Qualitative Study.
Abstract
Background: Population aging is a growing public health challenge in low-income settings such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where older adults face socioeconomic vulnerability and social marginalization. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of older adults regarding aging and quality of life in the city of Buta. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive-exploratory study with a phenomenological orientation was conducted from March to August 2025. Twenty older adults aged 60 to 87 years (12 women and 8 men), recruited from a nursing home (n = 6) and the community (n = 14) through purposive and snowball sampling, took part in face-to-face semi-structured interviews in Lingala. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated into French, and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Results: Participants experienced aging with ambivalence: positively, as a source of wisdom and social status, but also as a period of chronic illness, sensory decline, and dependence for daily activities. The main factors influencing quality of life were economic precariousness (13 of 20 participants earned less than USD 30 per month) linked to the absence of pensions, costly and poorly adapted health services, and weakened family support. Socially, the migration of younger generations and the erosion of intergenerational solidarity led to isolation; psychologically, loneliness and a feeling of being useless were frequent; spiritually, Christian faith and community ties served as the main coping resources. Most participants rated their current quality of life as poor. Conclusion: Aging in Buta is shaped by the interplay of physical frailty, economic insecurity, eroding social support, and spiritual resilience. Recommendation: Local and national health authorities should integrate active-aging programs, free or subsidized age-appropriate care services, social protection for older adults, and community-based support initiatives into health policies to improve quality of life and reduce vulnerability.