Quality of Life and Related Factors Among Hepatitis B Virus Infected Individuals

Introduction: Hepatitis B is a health problem in the world, including Indonesia. We analyzed several factors associated with the quality of life of chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods: We obtained information from Hepatitis B patients using the WHO Quality of Life questionnaire. Data analysis conducted in this study was a chi-square test and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR). Results: Housewives with hepatitis B had a better quality of life than employees (P = 0.002), after adjusted with age, sex, and medicine regularly, they had 21 times higher quality of life (OR = 21.51, CI 1.448-319.432, P = 0.026). Lower income in the family had a higher good and very good quality life (P = 0.001), patients who covered by government social insurance feel a better quality of life (P = 0.006). Also hepatitis B patients who diagnosed less than or equal 2 years and duration treatment less than or equal 1 year were better quality life (P = 0.002; P = 0.001). Patients were not taking medicine regularly and infected from husband had a lesser quality of life (P = 0.006). After adjusted with age, sex and employment status, medicine regularly had 19 times higher quality of life than without (OR = 19.37, CI 1.144-327.785, P = 0.040). Patients who reacted and feel shocked and denial had better quality of life (P = 0.011). However, we could not find any association between sex, age, ethnics, marital status and educational background with quality of life (P = 0.962, P = 0.919, P = 0.320, P = 0.233 and P = 0.209, respectively). Conclusion: The quality of life of hepatitis B patients influenced by several factors including the length of time diagnosed, the environment support, routine treatment, complications, the severity of the disease and economic factors.