Assessment of Quality of Life and Associated Factors among People with Epilepsy Attending at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: There is shortage of literature on the impact of epilepsy on quality of life (QoL). We conducted a study to assess the quality of life and associated factors among epileptic patients in Ethiopia. Method: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted From April to May, 2013, among 423 samples of epileptic patients from outpatient department of Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital. Quality of life was assessed using world Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHO QOL BREF) scale; in addition, perceived stigma scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale were used for interviewing the study participants. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with quality of life. Result: A total of 415 epileptic patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Out of which, 45.8% of the study participants had poor quality of life. Respondents who are unable to read and write, primary school, those who had frequent seizures, taking more than one type of antiepileptic drugs, anxiety, depression and perceived stigma, were found to be significantly associated with poor quality of life. Conclusion: Poor quality of life was found to be high among epilepsy patients. Managing patients with epilepsy to become seizure free, educating people regarding epilepsy and treatment of co-morbid disorders will help to improve quality of life in patients with epilepsy.