Quality of life among patients with the common chronic disease during COVID-19 pandemic in Northwest Ethiopia: A structural equation modelling

Background Improving Quality of Life (QoL) for patients with chronic diseases is a critical step in controlling disease progression and preventing complications. The COVID-19 pandemic has hampered chronic disease management, lowering patients’ quality of life. Thus, we aimed to assess the quality of life and its determinants in patients with common chronic diseases, in Northwest Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1815 randomly selected chronic patients with common chronic diseases. A standardized WHOQOL BREF tool was used, and electronic data collection was employed with the kobo toolbox data collection server. Overall QoL and the domains of Health-Related Quality of life (HRQoL) were determined. Structural equation modelling was done to estimate independent variables’ direct and indirect effects. Path coefficients with a 95% confidence interval were reported. Results About one in third, (33.35%) and 11.43% of the study participants had co-morbid conditions and identified complications, respectively. The mean score of QoL was 56.3 ranging from 14.59 and 98.95. The environmental domain was the most affected domain of HRQoL with a mean score of 52.18. Age, psychological, and environmental domains of HRQoL had a direct positive effect on the overall QoL while the physical and social relationships domains had an indirect positive effect. On the other hand, the number of medications taken, the presence of comorbidity, and complications had a direct negative impact on overall QoL. Furthermore, both rural residency and the presence of complications had an indirect negative effect on overall QoL via the mediator variables of environmental and physical health, respectively. Conclusion The quality of life was compromised in chronic disease patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the environmental domain of HRQoL was the most affected. Several socio-demographic and clinical factors had an impact on QoL, either directly or indirectly. These findings highlighted the importance of paying special attention to rural residents, patients with complications, patients taking a higher number of medications, and patients with comorbidity

Type of chronic disease in patients on chronic disease follow-up at Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2021.

Type of chronic disease in patients on chronic disease follow-up at Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2021.</p

The direct, indirect, and total effects of sociodemographic and clinical factors on quality of life among common chronic disease patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia, derived from the SEM, 2021.

The direct, indirect, and total effects of sociodemographic and clinical factors on quality of life among common chronic disease patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia, derived from the SEM, 2021.</p

Quality of life descriptive results among chronic disease patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia (n = 1, 815), 2021.

Quality of life descriptive results among chronic disease patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia (n = 1, 815), 2021.</p

Self-rated quality of life and health status satisfaction among chronic disease patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia (n = 1, 815).

Self-rated quality of life and health status satisfaction among chronic disease patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia (n = 1, 815).</p

WHOQOL BRIEF tool description.

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Theoretical model of quality-of-life measurement (S1 Table).

Theoretical model of quality-of-life measurement (S1 Table).</p

Causal factors for quality of life among common chronic disease patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia, derived from the SEM, 2021.

Causal factors for quality of life among common chronic disease patients in Amhara region, Ethiopia, derived from the SEM, 2021.</p