Health-related quality of life and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia at comprehensive specialised hospitals in the Northwest Ethiopia: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and associated factors among patients with schizophrenia at comprehensive specialised hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia.Design and setting A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 patients with schizophrenia who were followed at comprehensive specialised hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia from 1 June to 30 August 2022.Participants All adult patients with schizophrenia who had regular follow-up in the outpatient departments of the selected hospitals were study participants.Main outcome measures The main outcome of this study was HRQoL which was measured using the WHO Quality of Life Scale–Bref Version. Data entry and analysis were done using Epi-data version 4.6.1 and SPSS version 24, respectively. Linear regression was used to assess the association between quality of life and independent variables. Variables with a p value <0.05 at a 95% CI were considered statistically significant.Results The mean score of the overall Quality of Life Scale–Brief Version was 22.42±3.60. No formal education (ß=−1.53; 95% CI: −2.80 to –0.27), duration of treatment (ß = –3.08; 95% CI: −4.71 to –1.45), comorbidity (ß=−1.14; 95% CI: −1.99 to –0.29), substance use (ß=−0.89; 95% CI: −1.56 to –0.23), extrapyramidal side effects (ß=−2.02; 95% CI: −2.90 to –1.14), non-adherence (ß=−0.83; 95% CI: −1.44 to –0.23), and antipsychotic polypharmacy (ß=−1.77; CI: −2.57 to –0.96) were negatively associated with quality of life.Conclusion and recommendation In this study, the social domain was recorded as having the lowest mean score, which may indicate that patients with schizophrenia could need better psychosocial support. Patients with a longer duration of treatment, who had comorbid illnesses, were substance users, developed EPS, were non-adherent to medications and were on antipsychotic polypharmacy, needs critical follow-up to improve HRQoL.