Saudi Journal of Medicine (SJM)
Volume-7 | Issue-09 | 520-526
Original Research Article
Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Tuberculosis Treatment Centers in a Local Government Area in Southern Nigeria
Worgu Glory Ovunda, Onotai Lucky Obukowho, Asuquo Eme Olukemi
Published : Sept. 30, 2022
Abstract
Background: Studies from Rivers State have demonstrated high burden of drug resistance among pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients and declining cure rate despite adequate treatment retention and highly effective directly observed treatment short-course. Aim: to explore the perception of clients on how PTB disease or its treatment affect their health (health-related quality of life), which could impact on TB treatment success rate among clients with PTB. Methods: A total of 225 adult clients with PTB were recruited by systematic random sampling method from each of the 8 randomly selected centers out of 40 active treatment centers in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State. The SF 36 was used to collect responses which were grouped into 8 domains yielding 2 summary measures. Scores ≤49 were classified as poor, 50-74 relatively favourable and good for scores ≥75. Categorical data were presented as frequencies and proportions using tables and pie charts while quantitative data were presented as means and standard deviations. Results: Specific domains mean scores ranged from 34.9±33.7 (role physical) to 61.8±11.9 (general health) while physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) recorded 53.35±16.79 and 51.11±12.26 respectively. The overall HRQoL mean score for the study was 55.2 (± 3.6) with an undesirable score of 20.7%. Conclusion: Pulmonary tuberculosis patients in treatment centers in Obio / Akpor LGA had poor to relatively favourable HRQoL mean scores. Strengthening counselling practice may help improve support for the clients in coping with the disease and the effect of its treatment.