Subjective quality of life of Nigerian schizophrenia patients: sociodemographic and clinical correlates

OBJECTIVE: Subjective quality of life (QOL) is dependent upon culture and its evaluation based on one's particular belief system. This study aimed to examine the subjective QOL of Nigerian out-patients with schizophrenia and its correlates. METHOD: Out-patients with Schizophrenia (n = 99) completed the WHOQOL-BREF as a measure of their subjective QOL. Sociodemographic, illness related and medication related details were also obtained. RESULTS: Overall, 21 patients (21.2%) were categorised as having 'good' and 36 (36.4%) as having 'poor' subjective QOL. 'Poor' subjective QOL correlated with anxiety/depression symptoms (OR 4.88, 95% CI 2.93-11.48), comorbid medical problems (OR 4.75, 95% CI 1.43-16.33), unemployment (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.25-11.72) and poor social support (OR 4.60, 95% CI 1.49-14.28). CONCLUSION: Efforts to improve the QOL of patients with schizophrenia in this environment should encompass the identified variables. Larger, longitudinal and multi-centred studies are needed to adequately identify factors predicting QOL in this environment.