Qualitative Studies in Health-Related Quality of Life: The Case of Young People Living With HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) is a multidimensional concept, which includes physical, psychological and social factors. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) is a serious health problem worldwide with significant socio-economic and health implications Nowadays it is considered a chronic illness due to the HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) which attenuates the natural evolution of infection. As such a condition, it produces a progressive loss of functional capacity and autonomy of the individual, with a gradual deterioration of physical, psychological and social nature that determines a decrease in the feeling of well-being. Young people are the most vulnerable group because of their little perception of risk, early initiation of sex and promiscuity and social pressure to take potentially generating sexual risk behaviours. Despite considerable efforts, in recent years, to improve the treatment, there is still a limited understanding of the impact thereof and progression of the disease on Quality of Life and HRQOL affecting satisfaction in the lives of these patients. In this chapter a HRQOL qualitative study of young people between 15 and 24 years old who living with HIV/AIDS is presented. Semi-structured interviews where they were inquired about the way of dealing with HIV, social support and life satisfaction were conducted. This study included ten young people: eight men and two women with an average age of 21 years old. The young interviewed expressed their feeling emotionally well with a positive impact on the diagnosis of HIV and a global vision of life favorably with an appropriate psychological and social well-being . They had a suitable emotional and instrumental support from parents and friends with effective resources for coping with it. It would be, then, of great importance to conduct research with qualitative methods to understand the subjective aspects of the disease and have a better understanding of the experience of subject.