Quality of Life Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients A Focus on Women Aged 18 and Above at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi.
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Date
2025
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International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews
Abstract
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) profoundly affects the quality of life (QoL), particularly among women in developing countries, where healthcare access, cultural norms, and economic limitations often exacerbate the burden of disease. This study explored the QoL among women aged 18 and above living with T2DM at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, with particular attention to clinical care, mental health, and social support systems. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 women attending the hospital’s outpatient diabetes clinic. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used alongside structured interviews to capture both quantitative and contextual data. Statistical analysis, including descriptive and regression techniques, identified key factors associated with QoL scores. Findings showed that 68% of participants experienced moderate to low QoL, with physical and psychological well-being being the most negatively impacted.
Limited access to healthcare services, financial challenges, and insufficient social support emerged as major contributing factors. Conversely, women who received consistent diabetes education and reported strong family support demonstrated significantly better QoL outcomes (p < 0.05). The study highlights the urgent need for integrated and gender-sensitive diabetes care strategies. Improving healthcare accessibility, strengthening educational outreach, and building supportive community and family networks are essential to enhancing the QoL of women living with T2DM in Malawi.
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Keywords
Quality of Life (QoL), Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), Women’s Health, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Mixed-Methods Research, Malawi