Quality of Life Assessment Among Type-2 Diabetic Patients Attending Health Care Centers, Wad Medani, Sudan

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease marked by high blood glucose levels, which, if not managed, could lead to poor quality of life (QoL).  Evaluating QoL is essential for effective healthcare interventions.  This study aimed to assess the QoL among Type-2 diabetic patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in healthcare centers in Wad-Medani, Gezira State, Sudan.  The study employed 384 Type-2 diabetic patients who completed a structured Audit of Diabetes- Dependent Quality of Life questionnaire.

Results: Sociodemographic data indicated that 43.2% of participants were over 65 years old, 93.8% were married, and 38.5% had only a primary school education.  Additionally, 63.8% reported a low-income level.  The duration of diabetes varied, with 35.2% having diabetes for 10 to 20 years, and 36.55% reported reasonably well-managed diabetic markers.  All participants reported "poor QoL": 8.33% rated as "bad", 60.94% as "very bad", and 30.73% as “extremely bad”. Furthermore, no participant reported proper or perfect QoL.

Conclusion: The findings revealed that Type-2 diabetic patients exhibited low QoL scores across all domains.  It is recommended that healthcare providers prioritize interventions to improve QoL for Type-2 diabetic patients, incorporating holistic approaches that address psychological, social, and lifestyle factors alongside medical management.