Abstract
BackgroundOne of the major challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLH) is the compromised quality of life due to the negative impact of HIV on their health. HIV/AIDS control effort should go beyond laboratory and lay more emphasis on improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for PLH. The objective of this study is to evaluate the physical and mental HRQoL of PLH in rural China, and explore the relationship between HRQoL and individual- and family-level factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 522 PLH in Anhui, China. Participant’s sociodemographic characteristics, family status, and HIV-related factors were collected. Physical health summary score (PHS) and mental health summary score (MHS) of quality of life were measured. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to estimate the association of the individual- and family-level factors with MHS and PHS.ResultsMale were more likely to report a higher level of PHS and MHS than female (β = 0.123, P = 0.009; β = 0.150, P = 0.002). Age was significantly negatively associated with the PHS (β = − 0.232, P<0.001) when other variables were controlled. Family size remained negatively correlated with PHS (β = − 0.105, P = 0.021). Family annual income was significantly positively associated with PHS and MHS (β = 0.126, P = 0.003; β = 0.135, P = 0.002).ConclusionsFuture intervention should be carefully tailored to the specific needs of sub-populations (such as female and older PLH) considering their physical and mental HRQoL conditions. More attention and care should be provided to PLH with left-behind children in the family.
Highlights
One of the major challenges faced by people living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLH) is the compromised quality of life due to the negative impact of HIV on their health
This study showed that male people living with HIV (PLH) in rural China had better physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than their female counterparts, and it may be due to cultural differences
The study added to the current understanding of levels of HRQoL among PLH and the individual- and family-level factors associated with physical and mental HRQoL
Summary
One of the major challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLH) is the compromised quality of life due to the negative impact of HIV on their health. Disease-related factors associated with HRQoL included stage and time since diagnosis, current CD4 count/viral load, and severity of HIV/AIDS-related symptoms [8, 9], and being on ART was associated with (2019) 19:4 better physical and mental health [10]. Psychological factors, such as depression [11] and social support [6, 9], were found to be correlated with lower HRQoL of PLH. The study of PLH’s HRQoL should focus more on family-related factors
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