The physical and mental aspects of quality of life among patients with eye diseases: A cross-sectional survey study in Afghanistan

Abstract

AbstractBackground According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the world faces numerous challenges, including disparities in the availability and quality of eyecare services for prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. No previous study in Afghanistan has ever examined both mental and physical component of quality of life among patients with eye diseases. Therefore, present study examined the quality of life and its relationship with socio-demographic characteristics among this vulnerable group. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered from January 2022 to April 2022. Data were collected from participants with eye diseases (N = 617) in the Herat province of Afghanistan. Results Of the 617 participants, 63.4% had poor physical quality of life and 14.9% had poor mental quality of life. Among participants, the main variables associated with physical and mental quality of life were age, gender, marital status, education level, monthly income, occupation, using social media, and a traumatic event occurring during the past month. Multiple regression analysis indicated that poor physical quality of life was significantly associated with with being above 54 years old (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.15,p = .0048), being female (AOR = 3.58.p < 0.01), being illiterate (AOR = 3.31,p = 0.01), being unemployed (AOR = 1.93, p = 0.04), and experiencing a traumatic event during the past month (AOR = 2.06,p = 0.02). Poor mental quality of life was associated occupational status (being unemployed) (AOR = 3.62,p = 0.05), and experiencing a traumatic event in the past month (AOR = 3.49,p < 0.01). Conclusion The present study provides a novel contribution to the field eye diseases and quality of life especially in relation to Afghanistan where there has been very little research in this area. The results indicate that public health authorities in Afghanistan should implement policies to raise awareness regarding the quality of life of patients with eye diseases as well as formulating strategies to help improve it.