Health Related Quality of Life among Patients’ Family Members Visiting Hospital during COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The Corona Virus Disease-19 pandemic has brought serious psychological impact among all group of people around the globe. Nepal is not exception on it. The long effect of it (around 2 years) has affected every aspect of individual’s life including the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the people). This study aimed to find out the HRQOL among patients’ family members who were visiting hospital during COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 200 family members (20 to 60 years) of patients visiting Patan Hospital, Nepal, during COVID-19 pandemic in July to August, 2021. A structured self-administered questionnaire- World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) Version was used to measure the quality of life. Descriptive and inferential (ANOVA, Independent t-test) statistics was used for data analysis. P value was set at 0.05. Results: Out of 200 family members, 66.0% were male and mean age was 32.68±SD-9.360 years. About 20.0% had history of COVID-19 infection. Respondents’ overall QOL and satisfaction was neutral. The higher mean score (13.92±2.54) was found on social relation, followed by psychological health (13.68±1.74), physical health (13.14±1.54), and environmental health (12.53±1.74). There was significant association between education status and overall QOL and overall satisfaction (F=3.38, p=0.01; F=3.68, p=0.00, respectively). Furthermore, educational status and employment status were significantly associated with physical health domain (F=2.78, p=0.02; F=2.71, p=0.02, respectively). Conclusion: Overall QOL and satisfaction of respondents’ was neutral. The higher mean score was found on social relation, followed by psychological health, physical health and environmental health. Key words: COVID-19, Family members, Health related quality of life.