MAGNITUDE OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG ADULT DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS IN PUBLIC GENERAL HOSPITALS OF SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with considerable impact on health status and quality of life. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a multifaceted concept that is strongly impacted by diabetes in developing countries. Objective: This study aimed to assess the magnitude of health-related quality of life and associated factors among adult diabetic patients attending public general hospitals in Sidama Region, Ethiopia, 2023. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was applied on systematically selected 417 adult diabetic patients in public general hospitals in the Sidama region from June 16 to July 15, 2023. HRQOL was evaluated using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to see the association between dependent and independent variables. Candidates for multivariable analysis were variables with p < 0.25 in the bivariable analysis, and p < 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval was considered to declare a statistically significant association. Results: Of the 417 study participants, 48.4% had a good HRQOL. Factors significantly associated with good HRQOL were age between 29 and 39 years [AOR = 2.54 (95% CI, 1.24 5.20)], marital status being married [AOR = 5.2 (95% CI, 1.80-14.97)], college and above education [AOR = 5.48 (95% CI, 1.41-21.33)], occupation being student [AOR = 5.47 (95% CI, 1.19-25.19)], community based health insurance utilization [AOR = 3.18 (95% CI, 1.55-6.53)], doing physical exercise [AOR = 4.25 (95% CI, 2.37-7.61)], duration of illness more than 59 months [AOR = 6.79 (95% CI, 3.28-14.05)], insulin only treatment modality [AOR = 2.46 (95% CI, 1.01-6.04)], absence of DM-related complications [AOR = 3.52 (95% CI, 1.57-7.89)]. Conclusion: Nearly half of the study participants had a good health-related quality of life. Except age, all associated factors identified in this study are modifiable if appropriate measures or strategies are provided and implemented accordingly