Abstract

A NEW MEASUREMENT SCALE FOR EVALUATING HEALTHRELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH POST STROKE IN AL NAJAF AL ASHRAF GOVERNORATE IN IRAQ

Prof. Dr. Abdulkhaleq A. Ali Ghalib Al-Naqeeb* and Mustafa A. Jawad

Abstract

Objectives: This study amid to identify and study most properties ofthe specific and general health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) inpatients with post stroke, and to find out relationships amongdistribution of an overall assessment quality of life improvement andsocio-demographic characteristics variables, as well as creating a newmeasurement scale for assessing QoL among post stroke patients.Methodology: A cross sectional study (descriptive study) wasconducted to evaluate General and specific Quality of life in patientswith post stroke. An inconvenient sample (simple random sampling) of100 adults patient with post stroke, who have been diagnosed andtreated by neurologists in Al-Sadr Medical City in Al Najaf Al-Ashrafwhere they admitted for rehabilitation, or other treatment options. Thisstudy applied format of General World Health Organization Quality of Life-BERFQuestionnaire. The methods used descriptive statistics (Observed frequencies, percentages,mean of score, standard deviation, relative sufficiency, and Stem–Leaf plot method) toevaluate the General QoL-Improvements, as well as inferential statistical methods are usedsuch that (Wilcoxon Signed Rank, McNemar). Results: Patients with post stroke havedifferent assessment concerning general QoL, and have instability of their daily life cycle,within a moderate level. Regarding Specific QoL, overall results shows moderate assessment,but some domains are reported worse assessment than others specially (Ability to participatein the activities that you usually do) domain, other domains accounted moderate responsesand those are (Physical Problems, Memory and Thinking, Changes in mood and ability to control emotions, Ability to communicate with other people, as well as your ability to understand what you read, Activities you might do during a typical day, Ability to be mobile, at home and in the community). Also one of domains are reported low impact on specific QoL than others (Ability to use your hand). Recommendations: Establishing of educational program to improve health related quality of life for post stroke patients. As well as initiation of support groups for patients with post stroke, psychosocial care of patients with stroke is an important consideration. Physical rehabilitation principles for persons with chronic illness concerning stroke may prove useful and also providing rehabilitation instruments. Psychological interventions may need to be offered and individualized to patients, regardless of their age or partnership. Governmental commitment by offering all support to improve HRQoL for post stroke patients generally by providing chronic medications and support by their socio-economic state by providing financial donation.

Keywords: Quality of Life, Post stroke, Health related QoL.