Health Related Quality Of Life And Associated Factors Among Cervical Cancer Patients Who Were Receiving Treatment At Inpatient And Outpatient Oncology Units Of Three Teaching Hospitals In Ethiopia, 2025

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a significant public health concern worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of cervical cancer patients is often compromised due to a combination of factors related to the disease itself, its treatment, and its impact on daily life. Objectives: To assess Health Related Quality of Life and associated factors among cervical cancer patients admitted to three teaching hospitals in Ethiopia, 2025. Methods: This multi-hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 176 cervical cancer patients consecutively admitted to Ambo University Referral Hospital, Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, and Wollega University Referral Hospitals from 1st February to 30th May 2025. Validated HRQoL tools (i.e., European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire- Core (EORTC QLQ-C30) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire - cervical cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-CX24) and a structured questionnaire were used to collect socio-demographic and clinical information. Data was entered into Google sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics used to summarize HRQoL levels and logistic regression with Odds ratio (OR) was used to determine associated factors. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 in bivariable logistic regression were included in the multivariable model. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and a p-value < 0.05 were used to identify significant predictors. Results: Out of 181 samples, 176 patients participated; yielding a response rate of 97.23% and the Global Health Status/Global quality-of-life (GQOL) means (SD) score was found to be 48.8 ± 25.4 indicating poor HRQoL when compared to reference value. A woman with cervical cancer patient whose age between (25–54 years) was significantly associated with poor HRQoL (AOR = 16.7; 95% CI: 8.66–28.5). Impaired role functioning (AOR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.11–0.99), body image disturbance (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.11–0.89), lymphedema (AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.06–0.72), and sexual worry (AOR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.10–0.66) were also significant predictors.