Assessment of quality of life among undergraduate students using WHOQOL questionnaire in Nepal: a cross-sectional...

Quality of life (QoL) encompasses an individual's perception of their physical, psychological and social well-being, considering their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the QoL of undergraduate students in Kathmandu, Nepal, and determine the associations between QoL domains and various sociodemographic characteristics.

A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and March 2021 among 370 undergraduate health science and non-health sciences students at different colleges affiliated with four major universities in Kathmandu, Nepal. Health-related QoL was measured using the 24-item WHO Quality of Life Brief Version. Multivariable linear regression analysis assessed the factors associated with the different domains of QoL.

This study included 370 participants with a mean age (±SD) of 21.7 (±1.73) years. Among them, more than half were female (57.3%), residing in urban areas (52.4%) and from non-health science faculties (55.1%). The highest mean QoL score was observed in the psychological health domain (12.79±2.46), while the lowest was observed in physical health (12.49±3.31). Faculty of education (b=-0.71; 95% CI -1.39 to -0.03) and self-perceived illness status (b=-0.97; 95% CI -1.88 to -0.06) were significantly associated with the physical health domain of QoL; likewise, exercise habits (b=-0.53; 95% CI -1.04 to -0.02) were significantly associated with psychological health. Monthly family income (b=-0.77; 95% CI -1.51 to -0.03) and education faculty (b=-0.79; 95% CI -1.47 to -0.11) were significantly associated with the participants' environmental domain of QoL.

Nepali university students reported the highest QoL scores in the psychological health domain and the lowest in the physical health domain. Sociodemographic, academic, health-related and behavioural factors significantly predicted QoL. Practical measures to enhance physical health and initiatives to improve social interactions, particularly for health-science students, are recommended to improve overall QoL.