Quality of Life of Caregivers and Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis at Ministry of Health, Jordan
Emad A. Shdaifat, Mohd R. Abdul Manaf

Abstract
Quality of life (QOL) has become an important aspect in assessing the burden of chronic disease. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2010 at Ministry of Health (MOH), Jordan. The aims of the study were; to measure the patients’ and caregivers’ QOL, and subsequently to compare QOL of patients and caregivers with general population. RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 Arabic version was used to assess the QOL. One hundred thirty-eight patients and forty-nine caregivers were involved in the study. Patients’ QOL score was less than their caregiver and both have poorer QOL compared to general population. Patients’ and caregivers’ Physical Component Summary (PCS) were negatively correlated with their age. Moreover, caregivers’ Mental Component Summary (MCS) was negatively correlated with their age. Single patients have higher PCS than married and widowed. Working patients have higher PCS than not working and retired. However there was no correlation between patients’ and caregivers’ QOL. In conclusion, patients’ and caregivers’ QOL were found to be considerable impaired compared to general population.

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