Quality of Life in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Dialysis at the University Teaching Hospital-Adult Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

Introduction: The importance of determining health related quality of life in Chronic Kidney Disease patients on dialysis is well established. However, research was limited in establishing the health related quality of life for chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis at University Teaching Hospital-Adult Hospital. Further the effects of haemoglobin levels and adequacy of dialysis on their health related quality of life were unknown. Therefore, the study sought to answer a research question: what is the health-related Quality of Life for Chronic Kidney Disease patients on dialysis at University Teaching Hospital? Method: The study was an analytical cross-sectional study that used a census sampling method. The study participants comprised of 104 patients who sought dialysis services (2020-2021) from the University Teaching Hospital-Renal Unit in Lusaka, Zambia. A structured Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short form (KDQOL-SF 36) was used to collect data. The Data was analyzed using the Statistics and Data software version 13, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis was employed to analyse the data. A confidence interval of 95% was set with a significant level of 0.05. Results: The study included 104 Chronic Kidney Disease patients from the Dialysis Unit at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Two-thirds (68%) of the patients had a good overall health-related quality of life with the biological wellbeing having exceptionally high scores. The male gender (66.7%), unemployment (69.4%), and low haemoglobin levels (77.8%) were identified as factors associated with poor health-related quality of life. Conclusion: The health related quality of life of Chronic Kidney Disease patients at University Teaching Hospital was good. Low haemoglobin levels, age, male sex and unemployment were found to be factors associated with poor health related quality of life. Integration of health-related quality of life assessment for Chronic Kidney disease patients on dialysis in routine care is paramount. Particular focus should be on patients presenting with low haemoglobin levels, age, male sex and unemployment for timely interventions.