Health-related quality of life of persons living with tuberculosis: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease that can affect the quality of life of persons living with tuberculosis in resource-limited settings. There is a dearth of research on the quality of life of persons living with tuberculosis within Greater Accra, Ghana. PURPOSE: This study investigated the quality of life and its related factors among persons living with tuberculosis in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional survey assessed the physical, psychological, social relationship and environmental quality of life of 250 persons living with tuberculosis in four public health facilities using the World Health Organization’s Quality of Life Brief Questionnaire instrument. RESULTS: Respondents’ mean (standard deviation) physical, psychological, social relationship and environmental health-related quality of life domain scores were 46.19 (21.27), 50.67 (23.95), 40.9 (21.74) and 51.91 (20.13) respectively out of 100. Sociodemographic factors which influenced all four quality of life domains were their marital and employment statuses. Respondents’ site of TB infection (pulmonary or extrapulmonary) and phase of treatment influenced their physical, psychological and social domains. Other determinants of the quality of life were their sex, highest level of education and average monthly income. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of persons living with tuberculosis was found to be poor and influenced by the patients’ socioeconomic status. Strategies that identify and address any deterioration in the quality of life of persons living with TB are required throughout their management.