HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS AND NON- DIABETICS IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

📄 Project Abstract

Nigeria has the highest number of diabetics in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a chronic illness, diabetes mellitus (DM) places serious constraints on the people living with diabetes mellitus. The short-term and long-term complications affecting the physical, psychological and social functioning of diabetics can impinge on their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study assessed and compared the HRQOL of diabetic patients and non-diabetics in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Four objectives and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional survey design. It was conducted at the diabetic out- patient clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt. Power analysis was used to determine the minimum sample size of 200 each for the diabetic and the non-diabetic comparison group. The diabetics who met the inclusion criteria were purposively recruited, while the age and sex matched non-diabetics were re...