Abstract
BACKGROUND: The health and well-being of adults is important for attainment of the third sustainable development goal. Both social capital and health are essential for development, hence research is needed to explore this relationship in low income countries. Therefore, this study explored the association(s) between structural social capital, functional health status, and quality of life among adults in rural southwest Nigeria. METHODS: Cross-sectional data was collected from 922 residents of rural communities in three states of southwest Nigeria. Questions on adult health, subjective well-being, and quality of life were adapted from the WHO Global Ageing and Adult Health Study. For the assessment of social capital, the questions focused on group membership, sources of support, and the extent of trust/relationship with neighbours in the community. The association between structural social capital, functional health status, and quality of life was investigated using Structural Equation Models. RESULTS: The respondents had a mean age of 37.0 years (SD = 15.8). Females constituted 58.6% of the sample, and 46.5% had attained secondary education. The majority were traders (33.2%) and artisans (29.9%). Additionally, 672 respondents (72.9%) were married. There was a positive relationship between social capital and quality of life (β = 0.198, p = 0.002). Education level was found to be a significant factor in the relationship between social capital and health status (p = 0.047) as well as between health status and quality of life (p = < 0.001). The relationship between health status and quality of life was moderated by the respondent's age (p = 0.028). Social capital did not influence the relationship between health status and quality of life (β = 0.002, p = 0.471). CONCLUSION: Social capital significantly influenced the quality of life in rural southwest Nigeria. Interventions aimed at improving the quality of life in these communities should leverage social networks, promote health education, and enhance access to healthcare. Targeted programs such as community-based health initiatives, peer-support networks for younger adults, and literacy programs for individuals with lower education levels can strengthen social capital and improve health outcomes. Younger adults and those with lower levels of education should be the primary targets of such interventions.