Mohammed Muze, Endalew Hailu, KifleWoldemichael and Bekana Fekecha
Background: Diabetes mellitus is likely to become one of the most prevalent and economically important diseases of the 21st century. Diabetes mellitus, like any chronic medical condition, impacts on quality of life.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess quality of life and associated factors among diabetic patients having follow-up in diabetes clinic in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Jimma ,south west Ethiopia.
Methods: Institution based cross sectional study was conducted from February-May, 2014. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select 356 participants. Data collection technique was interview; review of medical records and the mean fasting blood sugar was used as index of glycemic control.
Results: A total of 341 respondents participated in the study and the response rate was 96.2%. The sample consisted of 183 males (56%) and 158 females (44%) with mean age 46.37 ± 15.9 years. Mean duration of DM was 5.7 ± 5 years, 229(66.9%) were type II diabetes, mean BMI and FBS were 23.4 ± 4.3 and 172 mg/dl ± 67 respectively. Highest percentages (57%) of poor health related quality of life was found in general health followed by role physical (36%) and highest good quality of life found in bodily pain dimensions in which 88% of the respondents had good quality of life.
Additionally, in this study depression symptom, type II diabetes, increased number of drugs, longer duration of illness and number of co morbidity were important predictors of impaired health related quality of life.
Conclusion: Depression symptoms, type II diabetes, higher number of drugs, longer duration of illness and number of co morbidity were important predictors of impaired health related quality of life. Additionally, general health and role physical dimensions of respondents’ quality of life were severely impaired. As a result programs addressing the physical and mental needs of the population are required.