The factors influencing diabetic patients’ quality of Life in the Upper West Region of Ghana

Abstract

Diabetes leads to premature death, poor health, and lowered quality of life (QoL). Understanding factors affecting the QoL of diabetic patients is crucial for effective disease management. A facility-based cross-sectional survey of 253 diabetic patients in the Wa Municipality was conducted in April 2023, guided by the Wilson and Cleary Health-Related QoL (HRQoL) framework. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and quantile regression to explore factors associated with QoL. We found that the QoL of diabetic patients was not optimal across all six domains, with the environment, physical, and psychological domains associated with relatively low QoL scores while the spiritual and social domains had relatively high QoL scores. Being female was significantly associated with lower QoL across various quantiles. QoL also reduced with age, notably at the 75th percentile. Urban residents experienced significantly better QoL at the 25th percentile, though this effect lessened at higher percentiles. To enhance QoL, we recommend public education on making buildings more accessible to people with diabetes and engaging clinical psychologists at facility levels to improve psychological wellbeing. Additionally, the Ghana Health Service should strengthen diabetes education in non-urban areas, among women, and encourage early healthcare seeking for diabetes.