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Dereje Wonde[1], Amanti Baru[2]

Abstract

Chronic illness is one of the chief health and development challenges of contemporary society. As in any other developing countries, Ethiopia is challenged by the rampant chronic illness that created a double tragedy on the society and the health care system, which is already threatened by acute illnesses. The main objective of this study was to investigate patients’ experience and perils of living with chronic illnesses. Both quantitative (sample survey) and qualitative (key informant interview and illness narratives) research methods were employed. Accordingly, 150 chronic illness outpatients visiting health facilities in the data collection period were surveyed.  The informants of qualitative studies were recruited by using purposive sampling technique based on availability basis. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the quantitative data, and the qualitative data were summarized and presented concurrently alongside with the quantitative data by hiring thematic analysis technique. The study unearthed that people from all walks of life are vulnerable to chronic illnesses. Chronic illness exposed patients for a number of personal and family problems. Chronic illness has a devastating impact on the livelihood of the patients and impoverishes the households of the patient. The problem of chronic illness is not just a health problem; rather it affects the overall functioning of the society. Thus, chronic illness has to be a national agenda and action oriented commitment is required from the government, NGOs and other concerned bodies to arrest the evils of chronic illness.

Key words: Chronic Illness, Patients, Societal Reactions, Ethiopia