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Health-related quality of life and associated factors among patients with epilepsy at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia

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Abstract

Purpose

Epilepsy is a global public health problem that causes a profound physical, psychological and social consequences. However, as such evidence in our country is limited, this study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and associated factors among patients with epilepsy.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 370 patients with epilepsy. The Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31) was used to measure HRQOL. Multiple linear regression was fitted to assess the association between HRQOL and the independent variables, and a P-value < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval were used to declare statistical significance.

Results

More than 55% of the participants were male, and the mean age of the participants was 29.64 (11.09) years. The overall HRQOL score was 55.81 (14.00). The scale scores ranged from 46.50 (15.55) to 64.98 (19.43). Out of the seven scales, the energy scale score was the lowest. Frequency of seizure, anxiety, depression, perceived stigma and adverse drug event were negatively associated with HRQOL, whereas social support had a significant positive association.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the HRQOL of patients was low and that its energy and emotional scales were the most affected. The presence of depression, anxiety and stigma adversely affected patient HRQOL. Therefore, healthcare professionals should be aware of the emotional state of the role it plays for HRQOL. Interventions aimed at reducing psychosocial problems and stigmatization are also needed to improve the patient HRQOL.

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Data Availability

The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are available upon request to the corresponding author. Due to data protection restrictions and participant confidentiality, we do not make participants' data publicly available.

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Acknowledgements

We are very thankful to the University of Gondar for the approval of the ethical issue and its technical and financial support. We forward our appreciation to the hospital managers for allowing us to conduct this research and their cooperation. Finally, we would like to thank study participants for their volunteer participation and also data collectors and supervisors for their genuineness and quality of work during data collection.

Funding

This is part of a master thesis funded by the University of Gondar. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

    Banchlay Addis, Amare Minyihun & Andualem Yalew Aschalew

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  1. Banchlay Addis
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  2. Amare Minyihun
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  3. Andualem Yalew Aschalew
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Correspondence to Banchlay Addis.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethical Review Board of the Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar (Ref. No.: IPH/180/2019). Permission letters were obtained from the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. All study participants were oriented on the objectives and purpose of the study before study participation. Confidentiality and anonymity were explained. Patients at health facilities and sick individuals were informed that participation had no impact on the provision of their health care. Written informed consent was obtained, and study team members safeguarded the confidentiality and anonymity of study participants throughout the entire study. Interviews were conducted in quiet areas, enclosed whenever possible, to ensure participant privacy. In order to protect the identities of the study participants, each participant was given a unique identification number (ID). Participation in the study was voluntary and individuals were free to withdraw or stop the interview at any time.

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Addis, B., Minyihun, A. & Aschalew, A.Y. Health-related quality of life and associated factors among patients with epilepsy at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia. Qual Life Res 30, 729–736 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-020-02666-4

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