DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE (HRQOL) IN ADULTPATIENTS UNDERGOING ANTI-MALARIAL TREATMENT AT A SECONDARYHEALTHCARE FACILITY IN ILORIN, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and related factors among patients receiving
antimalarial treatment at a General hospital Ilorin (GHI). Participants were drawn after a sample size of 291
participants were calculated. An EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS instrument was used to collect the data (from July to
September 2023). Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and Ethical approval was obtained from
Ministry of Health Ethical Research Committee (ERC) and Ethical Review and Research Committee of General
Hospital Ilorin (GHI) with assigned number: ERC/MOH/2023/07/130 and GHI/ADM/134/VOL.I/081 respectively.
Of the 291 participants included, 182 (62.5%) were female, and 109 (37.5%) were male. Most of the participants
were aged 18–24 years (93; 32%), had tertiary education (195; 67%), and had low incomes, earning less than
₦3,000 (126; 43.3%). Also, a significant majority lacked health insurance (211; 72.5%). The most commonly used
treatment was Artemether/Lumefantrine (281; 96.6%). The mean EQ-5D utility scores and EQ-VAS scores were
0.74 ±0.152 and 67.17±19.48 respectively. The EQ-5D descriptive system had 11111 as the health state of majority
of participants 89(30.6%) followed by 11121 (19)6.5%, both states having utilities of 0.9 and 0.646 respectively.
Sixty-three-point six percent of participants had problem in the pain and discomfort domain. The results of
multivariate regression analysis showed marital status (p=0.005) and family history (p= 0.004) of any disease
correlated with EQ-5D-5L index score (Health state). These variables contributed approximately 58.93% and
41.07% respectively to the EQ-5D index score of patients. The findings indicate that malaria patients in this study
generally reported a good health-related quality of life. Most participants experienced minimal problems across
domains except for pain/discomfort Socio-demographic factors such as marital status and family history of disease
had significant influence on HRQoL, suggesting that social support and underlying health vulnerabilities play
crucial roles in patients’ well-being. Overall, malaria’s impact on HRQoL extends beyond clinical symptoms, underscoring the need for patient-centered care that addresses both physical and psychosocial factors.