Health-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors among Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study Design

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a persistent worldwide health burden and contagious disease, particularly in Low–Middle-Income countries. TB hurts the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological wellbeing of patients. Although a few studies have explored the HRQOL among pulmonary TB patients in other parts of Ethiopia, no prior research has been conducted on this topic in the Tigray region.

Objective/Aim: The objective of this study is to assess the HRQOL and associated factors among patients with pulmonary TB in the Tigray region, northern Ethiopia.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was utilized among 360 pulmonary TB patients in the Tigray region, northern Ethiopia. Systematic random sampling was used for the participant selection. Data was collected using a Medical Outcome Study Short-Form (MOS SF-36) questionnaire. SPSS software V.29 was used for the data analysis. A multivariate linear logistic regression model was employed, and P-values < 0.05 were considered for statistical significance.

Results: The overall score for the HRQOL among the participants was 47.6 (SD±18.7). The score for the Physical Component Summary (PCS) was 50.1 (SD±22.2), while the Mental Component Summary (MCS) score was 45.2 (SD±16.5). The multivariable linear regression analysis indicated that being male (B =5.89, p=0.001), educational status (B =5.51, p=0.004), intensive phase (B=5.59, p=0.010), and treatment support (B =-5.19, p=0.023) were predictors of PCS score. Similarly, variables like educational status (B=5.15, p=0.001), intensive phase (B=4.77, p=0.001), and treatment support (B= -2.93, p=0.045) were predictors of the MCS scores among the TB patients.

Conclusion: The study findings indicated that both the PCS and MCS components of HRQOL were affected, with the mental health component was notably affected. Variables like the educational level, treatment phase, and treatment support were factors associated with the PCS and MCS scores. Additionally, male gender was the only factor associated with the PCS scores. Special attention should be given to pulmonary TB patients to improve their health status and wellbeing.