Background: On Feb 13, 2014, Kelud volcano, in Kediri District, Indonesia, erupted. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the eruption on health related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living in different levels of volcano eruption risk area.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Kediri District, the area affected by the eruption in East Java. 252 respondents who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study and were distributed in different levels of risk area. Subjects were recruited by multistage cluster sampling. HRQoL was assessed by Indonesian Health Related Quality of Life. Independent sample t-test and Continuity Correction Chi Square were used to identify differences between the two areas. Factors affecting quality of life were analyzed by general linear model.

Result: There was no difference in mean score of HRQoL between those living in the high risk area (35.93 (9.88)) and those living in the moderate/low risk area 35.69 (11.65)). Multivariate analysis showed that age, monthly income and history of chronic disease were the variables that affecting HRQoL in the total population as well as in each risk area. Increase in age was associated with a decreased HRQoL (β -1.951; p 0.000). Chronic disease that existed post eruption has significantly lower score of HRQoL(β -7.709; p 0.014). HRQoL among people living in high risk area was affected by age, income, coping, depression, decreased income, and chronic disease. Factors affecting HRQoL in moderate/low risk area were age, employment, monthly income and history of chronic disease.

Conclusions: Factors affecting HRQoL differ among different levels of disaster risk area. Approaches to improve people’s HRQol in the high risk area should involve psychological aspects as well as chronic disease prevention and control.