Health-related quality of life among patients with chronic diseases during COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: in the last two years, COVID-19 has largely changed the rhythm of human life and overwhelmed the healthcare systems globally. Patients with pre-existing chronic diseases have worse outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: an institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1-30, 2021. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and data extraction checklist. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 400 study participants. Data were entered into EPI data version 3.5.3 and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used and variables with a p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: three hundred and ten (77.5%) of the respondents had a poor overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger age (AOR=0.10.95% CI: 0.04-0.27), no formal education (AOR=5.03, 95% CI: 1.92-13.22), shorter treatment duration(AOR=0.11, 95% CI: 0.04-0.29), presence of respiratory symptoms (AOR=9.69, 95% CI: 2.93-32.09) and missed health-care appointment during COVID-19 (AOR=3.68, 95%CI: 1.82-7.43) were significantly associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). CONCLUSION: most of the respondents had a poor overall health-related quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consideration of the influence of outbreaks on the continuity of care for a patient and focusing on contributing factors should be an essential concern of the healthcare system. The objective is to assess health-related quality and factors associated with health-related quality of life among patients with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.