Assessment of Health Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Adult Patients With Epilepsy in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2023.
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Date
2023-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Epilepsy has significant negative effects on a person's physical, psychological, and
social well-being (Health Related Quality of Life). Education level, seizure type, seizure
frequency, stigma, living situation, monthly income, medication adherence, side effects of
antiepileptic drugs, and co-morbidity of mental disorders all significantly affect the quality of life
of epilepsy patients, according to different studies.
Objective: To assess Health Related Quality Of Life and associated factors among adult patients
with Epilepsy in Gamo Zone, Southern, Ethiopia, 2023.
Method: Institution based quantitative cross sectional study conducted on 252 participants from
Feb 27 to Mar 27, 2023, at selected public hospitals. A simple random sampling technique was
employed to select the required number of epileptic patients attending public hospitals in the
Gamo Zone. Logistic regression model was used to identify the predictor’s health-related quality
of life. The significant cut point was set to p-value < 0.05 at 95% CI.
Result: From 259, a total of 252 epileptic patients participated in this study with the response
rate of 97.2%. The mean total score of QOLIE-31 was 59.56 (SD=16.70). The highest mean
(SD) score was the Cognitive function, 70.32 (SD=20.49) and the lowest was Seizure worry
subscale, 42.2 (SD=23.95). 114 (45.2%) of the respondents scored below the mean in overall
HRQOL. Factors associated with poor quality of life includes taking medications once per day
[AOR=0.04; 95%CI (0.00-0.91)], having comorbid mental disorders [AOR: 4.53; 95% C.I (1.89-
10.86)] and encountering side effect of medications [AOR: 3.63; 95% C.I (1.74-7.55)].
Conclusion and Recommendation: HRQOL mean score of people living with epilepsy in
Gamo Zone is low. Taking medications once per day, having comorbid mental disorders and
experiencing adverse effect of medications associated with quality of life. This study
recommends for health professionals, to improve the quality of life for epileptic patients, early
detection of co-morbid mental disorders like depression and anxiety in those with epilepsy
should be of utmost importance.
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Keywords
Health Related Quality of Life, Epilepsy, Seizure, Adult