Quality Of Life Among Patients With Epilepsy Attending The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

ABSTRACT Introduction: Approximately 70 million people worldwide have epilepsy. Epilepsy is seen as highly contagious and shameful disease in the eyes of the public. Those affected are mostly stigmatized and these have great influence on their psychological, physical, environmental and social quality of life. This study sought to assess the level of quality of life of persons living with epilepsy. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was employed using quantitative approach. Structured WHO quality of life (WHOQOL) questionnaire was used to obtain information from participant. Eighty-two patients living with epilepsy were selected as study subjects. Data obtained was analyzed using STATA version 12.0 Results: Results obtained showed that in general, majority of the respondents had moderate overall quality of life. Eighty one percent of the participants had moderate physical quality of life (QOL). More than half of the respondents, Sixty one percent had moderate psychological QOL. Participants (58.5%) were found to experience low QOL in their social relationships. More than half of the participants (64.6%) had moderate quality of life for the Environmental domain. Conclusion: The study showed that on the average, persons living with epilepsy had moderate QOL. However, their social relationships were poor. Their level of education, marital status and gender showed significant association with their quality of life. It is suggested that support systems be created at both community level and clinical areas to better improve upon their quality of life.