A Study on the Self-Reported Quality of Life of HIV-Positive Slum-Dwellers in Mumbai, India

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS emerged as one of the most important public health issues of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries and is now one of the leading causes of global morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS by using different Domain Scores. Methods: This was a Bi-centric qualitative cross-sectional study, which was conducted in the three phases, by using standard, validated questionnaires used in WHOQOL HIV –BREF. Findings: Correlation of mean score of overall quality of life and general health score were statistically significant for gender, occupation, per capita income, age, education, marital status, current illness, treatment, CD4 count, HIV status and duration of disease. Correlation coefficient of different domains viz. physical health, psychological health, leave of independence, social relationship, environment, personal belief and spirituality, with overall quality of life score and general health score ranged from + 0.4 to + 0.7. 1.4. Conclusions Although overall quality of life was affected by different socio-demographic determinants, CD4 count, treatment, HIV status and duration of disease, it was contributed by six domain viz. Physical, Psychological, Level of independence, Social relationship, Environment and Spirituality / religion/ personal belief. So, a different approach under integrated program is required to strengthen the most affected domain in above variable to improve overall quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.