A cross-sectional study on predictors of quality of life of persons living with human immunodeficiency virus

Abstract

CONTEXT: Quality of life (QoL) in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLHIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a salient issue. The advent of highly active antiretroviral treatment has changed this deadly disease to a chronic manageable illness with focus shifting from fighting virus to ensuring a good QoL. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the predictors of health-related QoL (HRQoL) of PLHIV. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 205 PLHIV at antiretroviral therapy (ART) plus center of a tertiary care hospital of Lucknow. Interview method was used to collect the data. The questionnaire contained the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and QoL, measured by the World Health Organization (WHO) QOL-HIV-BREF. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 23.0. Bivariate associations were observed through Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to find the significant predictors of HRQoL. RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 39.42 years and 42.4% of the participants were females. Mean of HRQoL in the present study was 3.37 (standard deviations = 0.8) and 58.5% participants reported good HRQoL. Male gender, joint family, higher socioeconomic status, unreserved category, working functional status, and treatment other than ART were identified as independent predictors of good HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Family and vocational counseling should be an essential component of the care of PLHIV to improve their HRQoL. It may create a better home environment.