Health-related quality of life of patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, North West Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic non-communicable disease with considerable impact on health status and quality of life. It has a profound effect on quality of life in terms of social and psychological as well as physical well-being. This study was conducted to assess health related quality of life among patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes. RESULT: A cross-sectional study design was conducted from April to May, 2015. World Health Organization quality of life-BREF tool was used for collecting the data. A total of 344 patients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes were involved in the study. The overall health related quality of life mean score of the study participants was 52.6 ± 12.1 SD. Social domain has higher mean score (57.8 ± 14.8 SD). Educational status, marital status, occupation, duration of the diabetes and diabetes related complications had statistically significant association with health-related quality of life. An intervention that give special attention to the breaking of the cycle of low occupational status and literacy; and which encourage patients with type 2 DM to have good control of their diabetes and prevent complication should be implemented to improve their quality of life.