OBJECTIVETo discover the current condition of the floating population's quality of life (QOL) in a community of Shanghai and find out the possible influencing factors.

METHODS480 people identified as 'floating', were chosen by systematic sampling method, whose QOL was evaluated by WHOQOL-BREF (Chinese Version). A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the factors and the scores of the four domains.

RESULTSThe physical and psychological scores of the floating population were 14.09 +/- 2.09 and 11.28 +/- 2.18 which were lower than the average levels of the Chinese population which were 15.8 +/- 2.9 and 14.3 +/- 2.5. Women showed higher score in the social relationship domain than men (P = 0.017). With the increase of age, the scores of physical and psychological domain were descending (P(Phys.) = 0.030, P(Phych.) = 0.023). The score in every domain was rising when the appetite was better or the family conflicts had a lighter impact on life (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe QOL of the young females was better than other groups. Considering the whole QOL of the floating population, their physical and psychological demands should be highly concerned.