TITLE:
Association between Multimorbidity and Quality of Life among Adults Attending Outpatient Clinics in the Ashanti Region: A Cross-Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Jane Acquaye, Joseph Kwasi Brenyah, Isaac Asenso Brobbey-Kyei, Emmanuel Brobbey-Kyei
KEYWORDS:
Multimorbidity, Quality of Life, Outpatient Clinics, Ashanti Region, Ghana, SF-36, Cross-Sectional Study
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.11 No.5,
May
16,
2024
ABSTRACT: Multimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual, is increasingly prevalent worldwide, posing significant challenges for healthcare systems and patient well-being. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between multimorbidity and quality of life (QoL) among adults attending outpatient clinics in health facilities within the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Method: A sample of n = 400 participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to assess QoL and a checklist to ascertain multimorbidity status. Statistical analyses including correlation and regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between multimorbidity and QoL, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The findings reveal that there is no statistically significant association between multi-morbidity and the perceived changes in current health compared to one year ago (X2 = 4.814, p = 0.307), with 11.76% of those with multi-morbidity reporting better health, and 11.14% of gnon-multi-morbid individuals reporting the same. Similarly, role function, general health, and energy and fatigue did not demonstrate statistically significant associations with multi-morbidity. However, the emotional problem variable approached significance (X2 = 9.299, p = 0.054*), with 35.29% of individuals with multi-morbidity experiencing emotional issues compared to 25.90% among non-multi-morbid individuals. Notably, health change exhibited a significant association (X2 = 4.812, p = 0.028), indicating that 73.53% of those with multi-morbidity reported a worsening health change, compared to 59.34% of non-multi-morbid individuals. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the nuanced relationship between multi-morbidity and various dimensions of perceived health. While no significant associations were found between multi-morbidity and certain aspects such as role function, general health perception, and energy/fatigue levels, notable findings emerged regarding emotional well-being and health changes over time.