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Abstract
Much
research has been conducted
in many countries on the Health-Related
Quality of Life (HRQoL) of
haemodialysis patients, but
few have been conducted in
Khartoum, Sudan. All studies
have shown that patients’
Quality of Life regarding
the dimensions of physical,
psychological, social, and
environmental was affected
by the disease. Previous research
ignored the impact of religious
beliefs on haemodialysis patients.
We used the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire
(the English standard version)
to collect data from 181 participating
patients. Religious beliefs
had a significant impact on
the overall outcome of the
study, and strong social relationships
among the Sudanese population
(which distinguishes the Sudanese
population from other nations)
increased the patients’
satisfaction rate with their
social relationships. The
lack of transport facilities
from the patients’ homes
to the dialysis center (and
vice versa) forced the patients
to reduce the number of prescribed
sessions.
Background:
In recent decades, Health-Related
Quality of Life (HRQoL) endpoints
have proven to be valuable
research tools for evaluating
the outcomes of therapeutic
interventions in chronic diseases.
End-stage renal disease (ESRD)
is one such chronic disease
that leads to a high degree
of disability in various aspects
of the patient’s life
and impairs their quality
of life.
Objectives:
The main objectives of
this study were to assess
the QoL in haemodialysis patients
concerning their physical,
psychological, social, and
environmental health dimensions,
and to assess the effects
of age, sex, income, and level
of education, in addition,
to identify modifiable factors
in Khartoum Sudan, associated
with Health-Related Quality
of Life (HRQoL) among chronic
haemodialysis patients.
Instrument
and Material: A sample
of 181 patients was recruited
for this study. To collect
the data we used the WHOQOL-BREF
(the English standard version),
a generic health-related questionnaire
developed by the WHOQOL group
and available in 19 different
languagesThe English standard
version was recommended by
Mrs Sibel Volcan (WHOQOL representative)
because it is best suited
to Sudan.
Scoring
and Validation of WHOQOL-BREF
Questionnaire: A detailed
step-by-step guide to using
the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire
was clearly explained to me
in a separate document by
the WHOQOL representative.
Results:
Religious beliefs have
a significant impact on the
overall outcome of the study.
No correlation was found between
patients’ age, gender,
and quality of life. Physical
pain prevented 63.5% of the
participating patients from
doing what they needed to
do, 49.2% of the haemodialysis
patients had the energy to
carry out their daily activities,
71.8 were satisfied with their
sleep, 34.3% often had a negative
feeling, 83% were satisfied
with their sex life, 2.8%
do not have a physically healthy
environment, 43.3% were dissatisfied
with the condition of their
living spaces, the transportation
was a nightmare for the majority
of patients, 84.5% were satisfied
with their social relationships
and the support they receive
from people around them, and
.6% of patients have no way
at all to meet their daily
needs.
Discussion:
Physical pain prevented 63.5%
of patients from doing what
they needed to do to some
extent, 40.9% were dependent
on medical treatments to perform
their daily activities, more
than half of haemodialysis
patients can get around, the
lack of important information
harms patients and transportation
is a nightmare for the majority
of participating haemodialysis
patients.
Conclusion:
Inadequate distribution of
dialysis centers in Sudan,
lack of stable transportation
from patients’ homes
to dialysis centers (and vice
versa), and insufficient information
on how to deal with the disease
were significantly associated
with lower scores for all
general and several kidney
disease-related HRQoL scores.
Key
words: HRQOL, Haemodialysis,
Sudan
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