Quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers seeking healthcare at Mbale regional referral hospital.
| dc.contributor.author | Nabakiibi, Linet | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-29T06:15:18Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-29T06:15:18Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-07-27 | |
| dc.description | Undergraduate research report | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most debilitating complications of diabetes mellitus and are associated with chronic pain, disability, prolonged hospitalization, lower limb amputation, and reduced quality of life (QoL). Despite the increasing burden of DFUs in Uganda, there is limited evidence on the quality of life of affected patients and the factors influencing it. This study assessed the quality of life and associated factors among patients with diabetic foot ulcers seeking healthcare at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 160 patients with diabetic foot ulcers receiving care at MRRH. Participants were recruited using consecutive sampling. Data were collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument. Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed using STATA version 17. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and quality of life scores. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with quality of life. Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 55.6 ± 13.3 years, and 59.4% were male. The overall mean quality of life score was 2.46 ± 0.55. Among the WHOQOL-BREF domains, the environmental domain recorded the highest mean score (2.53 ± 0.67), while the physical domain had the lowest mean score (2.40 ± 0.59). Overall, 83.1% of participants had poor quality of life, while only 16.9% had good quality of life. Multivariable logistic regression showed that female gender (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02–0.65, p = 0.014), ulcer severity (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08–0.99, p = 0.049), availability of prescribed medications (AOR = 21.33, 95% CI: 2.03–224.06, p = 0.011), availability of wound dressing materials (AOR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03–0.76, p = 0.022), financial ability to meet daily needs (AOR = 0.06, 95% CI: 0.006–0.53, p = 0.012), access to information regarding diabetic foot ulcer care (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05–0.57, p = 0.004), and satisfaction with access to health services (AOR = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.002–0.21, p = 0.001) were significant predictors of quality of life. Conclusion: The majority of patients with diabetic foot ulcers attending Mbale Regional Referral Hospital experienced poor quality of life across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Quality of life was significantly influenced by ulcer severity, availability of medications and wound care supplies, financial capacity, access to information, and access to health services. Strengthening diabetic foot care programs, ensuring the availability of essential supplies, improving patient education, and reducing financial barriers to care may improve quality of life among patients living with diabetic foot ulcers. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Prof. Rose Chalo Nabirye ; Mrs. Nabachenje Proscovia ; Busitema University | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Nabakiibi, L. (2026). Quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers seeking healthcare at Mbale regional referral hospital. (Unpublished undergraduate research report). Busitema University. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://bdears.busitema.ac.ug/handle/123456789/8313 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Busitema University | |
| dc.title | Quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers seeking healthcare at Mbale regional referral hospital. | |
| dc.type | Other |