Khan Raveed, Baksh Rameez, Wallace Terika J, Aimable Mikael, Bujhawan Vineeta, Cumberbatch Justin, Marbella Enrie Julian, Phagoo Dana, Ramjattan Sanathkumar, Shavili Akshita
Department of Para-Clinical Sciences, Unit of Public Health & Primary Care, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of the West Indies St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
Front Glob Womens Health. 2024 Aug 22;5:1359741. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2024.1359741. eCollection 2024.
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition that lacks a definitive cure and adversely impacts the quality of life (QoL) of those affected. This study delves into the experiences of individuals with endometriosis in Trinidad and Tobago, focusing on their quality of life, pain severity, and acceptance of illness.
Surveys were distributed among 160 members of the Trinidad and Tobago Endometriosis Association. The survey instrument utilized was the WHOQOL-BREF, which measures QoL, pain severity, and acceptance of illness [the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS)].
The average age of respondents was 38.65 years. Quality of life scores averaged 3.41, with the "environment" aspect scoring highest (12.84) and "social relationships" scoring lowest (11.88). Cronbach's alpha indicated excellent internal consistency for "environment" (= 0.909) and the "AIS" (= 0.882). The independent samples t-test revealed lower mean QoL scores for unemployed participants. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in mean QoL scores for "health status" and "years since endometriosis diagnosis." All the QoL domains were positively correlated with each other. There were moderate positive correlations between the physical health and social relationships domains (= 0.558). All other domains were strongly correlated with each other (0.6 < < 0.8). Pain intensity and acceptance of illness had mean scores of 24.15 and 6.57, respectively. Variations in quality of life were observed for health status and duration since diagnosis, impacting mostly on the domain of physical health. Acceptance of illness emerged as a significant influencer of overall quality of life, assisting individuals in navigating the challenges posed by endometriosis.
The findings underscore the importance of understanding determinants, such as pain severity to improve care and support for those with endometriosis. Exploring acceptance of illness is critical in improving the quality of life of these individuals, highlighting the need for tailored interventions that encompass psychological and social support alongside medical treatment. This study demonstrates the pivotal role of acceptance of illness in the overall quality of life of endometriosis patients. Improving the quality of care requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing quality of life, particularly pain severity and the need for a holistic approach to support individuals grappling with endometriosis.
子宫内膜异位症是一种慢性妇科疾病，目前尚无根治方法，会对患者的生活质量产生不利影响。本研究深入探讨了特立尼达和多巴哥子宫内膜异位症患者的经历，重点关注他们的生活质量、疼痛严重程度和对疾病的接受程度。
对特立尼达和多巴哥子宫内膜异位症协会的160名成员进行了调查。使用的调查工具是世界卫生组织生活质量简表（WHOQOL-BREF），用于测量生活质量、疼痛严重程度和对疾病的接受程度[疾病接受量表（AIS）]。
受访者的平均年龄为38.65岁。生活质量得分平均为3.41，其中“环境”方面得分最高（12.84），“社会关系”得分最低（11.88）。克朗巴哈系数表明，“环境”（=0.909）和“AIS”（=0.882）具有出色的内部一致性。独立样本t检验显示，失业参与者的生活质量平均得分较低。方差分析显示，“健康状况”和“自诊断为子宫内膜异位症以来的年数”的生活质量平均得分存在显著差异。所有生活质量领域之间均呈正相关。身体健康和社会关系领域之间存在中度正相关（=0.558）。所有其他领域之间均呈强相关（0.6＜＜0.8）。疼痛强度和对疾病的接受程度的平均得分分别为24.15和6.57。观察到生活质量因健康状况和诊断后的持续时间而有所不同，主要影响身体健康领域。对疾病的接受程度成为总体生活质量的一个重要影响因素，帮助个体应对子宫内膜异位症带来的挑战。
研究结果强调了了解诸如疼痛严重程度等决定因素对于改善对子宫内膜异位症患者的护理和支持的重要性。探索对疾病的接受程度对于提高这些个体的生活质量至关重要，这突出了需要采取量身定制的干预措施，包括心理和社会支持以及医疗治疗。本研究证明了对疾病的接受程度在子宫内膜异位症患者总体生活质量中的关键作用。提高护理质量需要全面了解影响生活质量的因素，特别是疼痛严重程度，以及需要采取整体方法来支持应对子宫内膜异位症的个体。
