Background: In any country use of health services by elderly could vary according to the cultural, social, economic and demographic situation of the person who may need care. In certain contexts, it particularly varies with age and sex of the potential service user. However, studies that document on health service utilization among elderly population are generally scarce in Ethiopia and particularly, in the study area.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life and its associated factors among epileptic patients in public hospitals of Wollega zones, Ethiopia. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted on 402 epileptic patients, from March 01 to March 30, 2018. Multiple linear regression with backward elimination was used, and all analyses were conducted at the 0.05 significance level.ResultsThe overall mean total score on the WHOQOL-BREF scale was 60.47 with ± 23.07 SD. Monthly income ≤ 500 EB (β = − 12.49, P < 0.001), living alone (β = − 7.11, P = 0.007), adverse drug reaction (β = − 10.86, P < 0.001), comorbidity of anxiety (β = − 12.99, P < 0.001), perceived social stigma (β = − 9.73, P < 0.001) and frequency of seizure once per week (β = − 8.41, P = 0.001) were negatively associated with quality of life of epileptic patients. The mean quality of life of patients living with epilepsy in this study was low. The clinician should early recognize and treat drug side effects, detect and manage comorbidity, and control seizure in order to increase quality of life of epileptic patients.

Background: Ethiopia is one of Sub-Saharan Africa countries in which high fertility (5.4 births per woman) is observed. Family planning programs have always been considered as the interventions of choice for slowing population growth and family size preference is useful in suggesting its demand.