Determinants of quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS: A cross sectional study in central Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: India houses 2.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS. Once a fatal illness, HIV/ AIDS has become a chronic illness due to advent of antiretroviral therapy. Morbidity and mortality indicators used in measuring health of the community only quantify the health but quality of life is not measured. Quality of life is a multidimensional aspect and several factors influence it in a different way. Aims & Objectives: Assess quality of life and its determinants among people living with HIV/AIDS. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study conducted during Jan 2012 to June 2012, at outpatient clinic of tertiary care centre involved 200 people living with HIV/AIDS. Interview method was used to collect the data. Quality of life was assessed using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and other part of the questionnaire contained the socio-demographic and HIV related characteristics. The data was analyzed by using excel 2007, Z test was used wherever necessary and presented. Results: Mean age of the study subjects was 33.77 years and 61.5% of the participants were females. Quality of life was rated as poor by 26% of the study subjects and 27% of the subjects are dissatisfied with their overall health status. Quality of life score was highest in environmental domain (11.61 ± 1.83) and lowest in Social relationships domain (8.97 ± 3.36). Age lesser than or equal to 30 years had better Quality of life mean in environmental and social domain. Subjects from urban area had better mean in physical, psychological and environmental domain. Education associated with social and environment domain. Higher CD4 count is associated with better mean in physical domain. Conclusion: Many socio-demographic factors influence quality of life. These factors should be considered in planning care of HIV infected people.