Predictors of Quality of Life Among Patients with Diabetes-Related Lower Extremity Amputation in Selected Hospitals in Lagos State, Nigeria (Published)
Diabetes-related lower extremity amputation remains one of the most devastating outcomes of diabetic foot disease, often leaving patients to grapple with pain, loss of mobility, emotional distress, altered family roles, and economic strain. In Nigeria, evidence on how patients actually live through this experience and how it shapes their quality of life is still limited. This study therefore assessed quality of life of patients with diabetes-related lower extremity amputation in selected hospitals in Lagos State, with attention to coping strategies and perceived social support. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive design. Data were obtained from 65 patients using the WHOQOL-BREF, Brief COPE Inventory, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings showed that participants had an overall poor quality of life, with low scores across the physical (14.86±6.53), psychological (11.99±5.01), social relationship (5.63±3.39), environmental (16.24±7.81), and general health (4.10±0.88) domains. The most commonly used coping strategies were problem-focused coping, especially active coping and planning, alongside emotion-focused coping through religion. Perceived social support was high overall (6.03±1.49), with support from significant others rated highest. Regression analysis showed that coping strategies significantly predicted quality of life (R=.478, R²=.228, F=18.171, p<.001), while perceived social support had an even stronger influence (R=.684, R²=.468, F=11.983, p<.001). The study concludes that care for these patients must move beyond surgery alone. It recommends routine psychological assessment and counselling, stronger rehabilitation services, family-centred education, and social reintegration support to improve recovery and long-term wellbeing.
Keywords: Diabetes, Experiences, Quality of life, amputation, coping mechanisms
Ιnvestigating the Psychiatric Burden of Women, Who Have Recently Given Birth, During the Period of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Correlation with their Quality of Life (Published)
This study aimed to investigate the psychiatric burden of women who recently gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic and its correlation with their quality of life. The study included 107 women with an average age of 31.4 years, from all socioeconomic classes. Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of three parts, covering demographic characteristics, COVID-19 related questions, and two scales: the WHOQOL-BREF scale (30 questions) and the MSPSS questionnaire (12 questions). Results showed that COVID-19 restrictions negatively affected 77.6% of women during the postpartum period and 75.7% felt lonely. Women who did not have visitation during their postpartum hospital stay, who were negatively affected due to COVID-19 restrictions, and who were sick during childbirth had worse physical and mental health. Quality of life was related to demographics, with women who are not working and have 2 or 3 children having worse quality of life was related to demographics, with women who are not working and have 2 or 3 children having worse quality of life. Social support was found to be crucial, with the more support women received, the better their overall quality of life. The study highlights the need for health professionals to provide additional support to women during the postpartum period, particularly during the pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Quality of life, postpartum