Quality of Life among Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in Southwestern Uganda

Purpose: The study assessed the quality of life among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients in Southwestern Uganda. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 71 adult MDR-TB patients attending Mbarara, Kabale, and Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospitals. Participants were selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the WHOQOL-BREF and analysed using SPSS version 28, descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Findings: Most participants were male (76%), aged 31–50 years, and 44% had primary education. General quality of life was moderate (mean = 3.09), while functional outcomes (mean = 2.84) and overall life satisfaction (mean = 2.75) were low. Participants experienced pain, low energy, financial challenges, limited leisure, and reduced satisfaction with sleep, work, and social relationships. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends a patient-centred approach integrating TB and HIV services, directly observed therapy (DOT), psychosocial support, counselling, peer-support programmes, and nutritional care to improve the quality of life of MDR-TB patients.