Health-Related Quality of Life Among Haemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) estimation is both fundamental and vital for rating treatment efficacy beyond clinical outcomes. This study was therefore set up to evaluate the health-related quality of life among haemodialysis patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and identify associated factors. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 45 haemodialysis patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Data were collected using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL-36) ShortForm questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 20. The majority of participants were females (57.8%) and married (84.4%). 68.9% of them had gone to college or university, and 64.4% were unemployed. The overall HRQOL was average to above average. Regular outpatient visits (p = 0.007), having health insurance (p = 0.003), and annual income were all critical factors that affected HRQOL. Physical functioning was most significantly affected, with 78% of respondents reporting work limitations due to physical health problems. While patients perceived their HRQOL as average or above average, underlying issues related to physical functioning, disease-related discomforts, and daily life impacts were evident. Basic and social support, healthcare access, and financial stability substantially impacted the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing haemodialysis.