Health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS in Togo: individuals and contextual effects

Health-related quality of life and hypertension in people with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy in Uganda

INTRODUCTION

The presence of hypertension could reduce the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with HIV (PWH). Yet, literature describing the HRQoL of PWH who have hypertension in Uganda is scarce making the design of locally adapted interventions cumbersome. In our study, we compared HRQoL scores of people with HIV with and without hypertension on long term antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda.

METHODS

We recruited 149 PWH with hypertension and 159 PWH without hypertension in the long-term ART cohort at an urban clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Data on socio-demographics were collected using an interviewer designed questionnaire while data on the World Health Organisation clinical stage viral load and CD4 count as well as ART duration were extracted from clinic electronic database and a generic EuroQol -5D- 5L (EQ-5D- 5L) and Medical Outcome Study (MOS-HIV) questionnaire used to collect HRQoL data. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics while inferential statistics were used to determine associations between key variables and HRQoL. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare HRQoL between groups of interest.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety (61.7%) participants were female. PWH who had hypertension were older (Mean ± SD: 53.7 ± 8.3 vs 49.9 ± 8.6, p value <0.001) than those without hypertension. Participants with hypertension had lower overall median health utility scores (0.71 (0.33-0.80) vs 0.80 (0.44-0.80), p value = 0.029) and mean physical health score (48.44 ± 10.17 vs 51.44 ± 9.65, p value < 0.001) as opposed to those without hypertension. Hypertension (p value = 0.023), high income status, >70,000 UGX, (p value = 0.044), disclosure of the HIV status of the participants to their partner (p value = 0.026), and current history of smoking (p value = 0.029) were associated with low HRQoL scores.

CONCLUSION

Among people with HIV, those with hypertension had lower HRQoL compared to those without. This calls for inclusion of quality-of-life assessment in the management of PWH who have been diagnosed with hypertension to identify those at risk and plan early interventions.

Evaluation of the health-related quality of life and associated factors in Zimbabwean adults living with HIV: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

HIV remains a global burden, with the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region reporting the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). An exponential improvement in the accessibility and uptake of antiretroviral treatment across SSA has significantly improved outcomes for PLHIV. Hence, HIV care goals have shifted from reducing mortality and morbidity to improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study uses generic and condition-specific HRQoL outcomes to holistically determine the HRQoL of Zimbabwean adult PLHIV and associated factors. HRQoL is a dynamic subject construct that warrants continuous evaluation to provide meaningful feedback to various stakeholders. We enrolled 536 adult PLHIV in Zimbabwe. Collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and multivariate binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

Our study shows a high HRQoL perception by Zimbabwean PLHIV. Anxiety, depression, and poor environmental health were widely reported domains influencing HRQoL. Also, being aware of HIV status for over a year, not experiencing an adverse event, being married, having adequate finances and food security and having higher educational status were associated with higher HRQoL. It is essential to integrate mental health care into routine HIV care to improve treatment outcomes and HRQoL. Last, implementing bespoke multisectoral HRQoL-enhancement interventions is paramount.

The effect of universal testing and treatment for HIV on health-related quality of life - An analysis of data from the HPTN 071 (PopART) cluster randomised trial

Background

HIV treatment has clear Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) benefits. However, little is known about how Universal Testing and Treatment (UTT) for HIV affects HRQoL. This study aimed to examine the effect of a combination prevention intervention, including UTT, on HRQoL among People Living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods

Data were from HPTN 071 (PopART), a three-arm cluster randomised controlled trial in 21 communities in Zambia and South Africa (2013-2018). Arm A received the full UTT intervention of door-to-door HIV testing plus access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) regardless of CD4 count, Arm B received the intervention but followed national treatment guidelines (universal ART from 2016), and Arm C received standard care. The intervention effect was measured in a cohort of randomly selected adults, over 36 months. HRQoL scores, and the prevalence of problems in five HRQoL dimensions (mobility, self-care, performing daily activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) were assessed among all participants using the EuroQol-5-dimensions-5-levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). We compared HRQoL among PLHIV with laboratory confirmed HIV status between arms, using adjusted two-stage cluster-level analyses.

Results

At baseline, 7,856 PLHIV provided HRQoL data. At 36 months, the mean HRQoL score was 0.892 (95% confidence interval: 0.887-0.898) in Arm A, 0.886 (0.877-0.894) in Arm B and 0.888 (0.884-0.892) in Arm C. There was no evidence of a difference in HRQoL scores between arms (A vs C, adjusted mean difference: 0.003, -0.001-0.006; B vs C: -0.004, -0.014-0.005). The prevalence of problems with pain/discomfort was lower in Arm A than C (adjusted prevalence ratio: 0.37, 0.14-0.97). There was no evidence of differences for other HRQoL dimensions.

Conclusions

The intervention did not change overall HRQoL, suggesting that raising HRQoL among PLHIV might require more than improved testing and treatment. However, PLHIV had fewer problems with pain/discomfort under the full intervention; this benefit of UTT should be maximised during roll-out.

Health Care Needs Among People Living with HIV: The Implication of Continuum of Care

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus remains a major public health problem in Indonesia. People living with HIV (PLWH) have various health problems as result from disease progression that impacts their health care needs. This study aims to explore health care needs and to test the factors associated with health care needs among people living with HIV.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study design was undertaken with 243 respondents completing a self-reported HIV-Health Care Need Questionnaire. Participants were recruited using the purposive sampling technique from six HIV clinics in West Java, Indonesia. The data were analyzed using descriptive and multiple logistic regression statistical techniques.

Results

The majority of the subjects were diagnosed within less than 5 years and have been receiving antiretroviral therapy. Nursing care was indicated as the most needed, offered, and received care. Emergency financial assistance, legal services, insurance premiums, and nutritional intervention were perceived as gaps between needed and received. Characteristics such as age, educational background, having HIV manager, and income were significantly correlated to nutritional care (p< 0.05). Nutritional care was increased by 3.96% if PLWH having HIV manager (CI: 1.17-13.38, p< 0.05).

Conclusion

Addressing the gap between health care needs and health offered was important to ensure that care was received appropriately. Continuing assessment of health care needs can provide direction to deliver appropriate care and ensure a comprehensive continuum of care for PLWH.

HIV Status Disclosure and Quality of Life of People Living with HIV/AIDS in the Ho Municipality, Ghana

Background. Quality of life (QoL) and HIV/AIDS serostatus disclosure are vital HIV outcome indicators. This study examined factors associated with QoL, HIV status disclosure, and the relationship between QoL and disclosure among people living with HIV (PLWHIV) at the Ho Teaching Hospital. Methods. We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional survey among 311 PLWHIV. The World Health Organization WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire was used to measure QoL. A semistructured questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographics and HIV serostatus disclosure. Multivariate logistic and multiple linear regressions were used to determine predictors of HIV serostatus disclosure and QoL in six domains, respectively. Results. Overall, 88.7% of participants disclosed their HIV status to a significant relation. The majority (98.1%) presented with good QoL, high (83.3%) among participants who disclosed their HIV seropositive status. Patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than a year were 8.64 times more likely to disclose their HIV status as compared to those on ART for less than a year (AOR = 8.64 (95% CI: 2.00–37.27), $p=0.004$ ). Increasing years on ART (β = 0.37) and being employed (β = 1.31) positively predicted good QoL in the physical domain, whereas higher educational level positively predicted good QoL in the social domain (β = 0.66). QoL was not associated with HIV serostatus disclosure. Conclusion. HIV status disclosure was high. Increasing years on ART increased the odds of disclosure. Although there was no significant relationship between QoL and disclosure, good QoL was high among those who disclosed their HIV status. Increasing years on ART, higher education, and being employed predicted good QoL.

Stigma Affects the Health-Related Quality of Life of People Living with HIV by Activating Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

Stigma is a strong concern in the effort to manage the impact of many chronic diseases on patients and affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients, but little is understood regarding how this happens. We explored the perspective that stigma reduces health-related QoL (HRQoL) by evoking the traumatic experiences associated with HIV diagnosis. Outpatients (n = 250) receiving HIV-related care were recruited from 2 hospitals in the southeastern region of Nigeria. Participants completed measures of stigma, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and HRQoL. Mediation analyses were conducted using Hayes PROCESS Macro for SPSS. Result showed that stigma was negatively associated with HRQoL; patients who reported more traumatic symptoms also reported poorer HRQoL. Traumatic stress symptoms mediated the path between stigma and all the dimensions of HRQoL. Findings suggest that recognizing and addressing trauma symptoms are important in the management of PLWH. Perhaps addressing trauma would reduce the impact of stigma on HRQoL.

Behavioral and psychosocial factors of quality of life among adult people living with HIV on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, in public hospitals of Southwest Ethiopia

Despite the availability of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, the quality of life (QOL) of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHIV) has continued to be affected. However, previous studies focused on the magnitude and clinical determinants which lacks behavioral and psychosocial factors of QOL. Thus, this study aimed to identify behavioral and psychosocial determinants of QOL among Adult PLWHIV on HARRT, in Public Hospitals of Jimma Zone, South West, Ethiopia, 2018. A cross-sectional study design was conducted in Public Hospitals of Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia from March 10 to April 10/2018. QOL of was measured using WHOQOL-HIV BREF instrument. A simple random sampling technique was employed to enroll study participants. A pretested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Then, data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multiple variable logistic regression analyses were also performed. A total of 300 respondents were enrolled into the study yielding a response rate of 97.7%. The majority of respondents were from urban residence and between 35-44 years of age. About 47% of respondents have ever used substances, and 58.3% have obtained social support. Nearly 80% and 26.3% of the study participants were stigmatized and severely depressed. More than half of the study participants had good overall QoL with the highest domain QOL in level of independence and lowest in social relations. Factors associated with poor physical health include being government employee AOR 0.33 95%CI (0.15, 0.69), from private business AOR 0.33 95%CI (0.14, 0.79), being 1st wealth quintile AOR 2.44 95%CI (1.16, 5.14), and not obtaining financial support AOR 4.27 95%CI (1.94, 9.42). Lower wealth index has been associated with almost all domain scores of poor QOL except spiritual domain. More than half of the respondents had good overall QoL with the highest domain score in level of independence and lowest in social relations domain. Several factors have contributed to poor domain QOL of PLWHIV. Therefore, it will become all the most important to develop effective strategies, policies and programs targeting people living with HIV. Emphasis should be given to the socio-economic factors that affect their QOL on HAART. Professional counseling and guidance with life skill packages should be strengthened to cope up with adverse behavioral factors. Finally, psychosocial support should be provided from all responsible bodies.

Quality of Life Assessment and Related Factors of HIV-Infected Patients in Hangzhou Using a Path Analysis Model: An Observational Study

Objective

This study aimed to examine which path among direct and indirect effects was more influential to the quality of life (QOL) for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods

An observational study among 951 individuals diagnosed with HIV was conducted in designated acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) medical institutions in Hangzhou using simple random sampling technique. We collected the demographic data of patients and then evaluated their QOL by 12-Item Short-Form (SF-12) questionnaire survey. The two-stage least squares analysis was firstly performed to filter the independent influencing factors of Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). We then enrolled the PCS, MCS, and their influencing factors into the path analysis of QOL, and further revealed the direct and indirect effects of variables and examined the important path that was more influential on the patient’s QOL.

Results

The patient’s PCS, MCS, and quality of life showed a significant difference between groups in terms of education level and working condition (all P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that depression, age, education level, and treatment independently affected the PCS (all P<0.05), and depression and anxiety exerted an independent effect on the MCS (all P<0.05). Further path analysis integrating related variables showed that the main indexes of the goodness of fit implied the final model fit the data well. The path analysis showed that PCS and MCS exerted direct effects on the QOL (all P<0.001), especially the MCS (β=0.785), but other variables exerted no direct effects (all β=0, all P>0.05). It should be noted that anxiety presented an obvious indirect effect on the QOL (β=0.460), and its indirect effect was similar to the direct effect of PCS (β=0.471).

Conclusion

The MCS might exert a more important effect on the QOL of HIV patients. In addition, the indirect effect of anxiety on the QOL should not be ignored.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among HIV-Infected Children and Its Association With Socio-Demographic, Clinical and Nutritional Variables: A Comparative Approach

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its treatment impact the child’s life as well as that of their caregivers. As therapeutic advances are made in the field, improved survival has shifted the focus from morbidity and mortality to quality of life. This study aims to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children living with HIV in comparison with an HIV-negative control group and determine its relationship with socio-demographic, clinical, and nutritional variables.

Method: This was a multi-center cross-sectional comparative study involving 274 participants (137 per group) carried out in tertiary and secondary level healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Socio-demographic, clinical, and nutritional variables were obtained using a researcher-designed data collection sheet. HRQoL was measured using the Paediatrics Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0), while caregivers’ burden was assessed using the Zarit-Burden Interview (ZBI). A comparison of the health-related quality of life of the cases and the control group was done using an independent t-test. The predictors of HRQoL among the cases were measured using multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis.

Result: The overall health-related quality of life of HIV-infected children and those of the HIV-negative control group were similar. However, there was a significant difference in the school and psychosocial functioning domains between the two groups with HIV-positive children scoring lower in these domains. For HIV-positive children, being from upper social class (p = 0.01, R² = 0.098), male gender (p = 0.005, R² = 0.063), higher scores in the caregiver burden scale (p = 0.009, R² = 0.150) and more disease severity (p < 0.001, R² = 0.321) were significant predictors of lower health-related quality of life.

Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the overall health-related quality of life of HIV-positive children was similar to that of age- and sex-matched HIV-negative control group. This finding gives clinicians some optimism that with adequate treatment, HIV-positive children will have better outcomes not only in mortality but in psychosocial variables such as quality of life. In addition, the finding on the relationship between caregiver burden and HRQoL underscores the need to focus on family-based interventions to improve the burden of caregiving on family members involved in the care of HIV-positive children.

Relationship between spiritual well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life and some related factors in patients with AIDS/HIV

Objective

The study of effective factors on the quality of life (QoL), as an important criterion, in the outcome of new therapeutic and preventive strategies in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been considered by researchers. To study the relationship between spiritual well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and some related factors in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ([AIDS]/HIV).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 224 people were selected as the study population (112 were male and 112 were female) from patients with AIDS/HIV at the Behavioral Counseling Center of Shiraz with available sampling method. The research tool was Palutzian & Ellison well-being scale and QoL Questionnaire (SF-36). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test.

Results

There was a significant direct relationship between physical function dimensions (P = 0.003). There was a significant relationship between general well-being, mental well-being, and total spiritual well-being (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between the dimensions of QoL and spiritual well-being with some age section of the patients, and their occupation and education (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Spirituality has an impact on the QoL dimensions. Therefore, HIV positive people's quality of life could be improved by the possibility of the spiritual well-being promotion as a method of adaptation with the disease.

Mental health and well-being of older adults living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

In this systematic review, we aimed to summarise the empirical evidence on common mental disorders (CMDs), cognitive impairment, frailty and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV aged ≥50 years (PLWH50 +) residing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Specifically, we document the prevalence and correlates of these outcomes.

DESIGN, DATA SOURCES AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The following online databases were systematically searched: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase and Scopus up to January 2021. English-language publications on depression, anxiety, cognitive function, frailty and quality of life among PLWH50+ residing in SSA were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

We extracted information, including study characteristics and main findings. These were tabulated, and a narrative synthesis approach was adopted, given the substantial heterogeneity among included studies.

RESULTS

A total of 50 studies from fifteen SSA countries met the inclusion criteria. About two-thirds of these studies emanated from Ethiopia, Uganda and South Africa. Studies regarding depression predominated (n=26), followed by cognitive impairment (n=13). Overall, PLWH50+ exhibited varying prevalence of depression (6%-59%), cognitive impairments (4%-61%) and frailty (3%-15%). The correlates of CMDs, cognitive impairment, frailty and HRQoL were rarely investigated, but those reported were sociodemographic variables, many of which were inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

This review documented an increasing number of published studies on HIV and ageing from SSA. However, the current evidence on the mental and well-being outcomes in PLWH50+ is inadequate to characterise the public health dimension of these impairments in SSA, because of heterogeneous findings, few well-designed studies and substantial methodological limitations in many of the available studies. Future work should have sufficiently large samples of PLWH50+, engage appropriate comparison groups, harmonise the measurement of these outcomes using a standardised methodology to generate more robust prevalence estimates and confirm predictors.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020145791.

The role of personality, social economic and prevention strategy effects on health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS

BACKGROUND

HIV/AIDS has transformed into a chronic controllable but not yet curable infectious disease as other chronic diseases to some extent. The additional of so called fourth 90% that included the improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) required solutions beyond antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression. This study will explore the role of personality, social economic and prevention strategy effection on HRQoL among people living with HIV/AIDS.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among PLWHIV aged more than 16 years old in the 10 municipalities in Yunnan Province, China from October 2019 to May 2020, enrolling total 1997 participants. Individual-level HRQoL data were measured by 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and EuroQol Five Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). We assembled municipal-level data about social economic from Yunnan Statistical Yearbook in 2020 and strategy practice information from the self-evaluation system. We used the principal component analysis to build the social economic and strategy effect on each area respectively and one-way ANOVA was used to perform univariate analysis to identify the predictors with significant differences. Finally we used multi-level model (MLM) to explore the personality, social economic and strategy effects in health-related quality of life among PLWHIV.

RESULTS

The global score for quality of life measured using EQ-5D-5L had an estimated mean score (standard deviation, SD) of 0.901 ± 0.146. The HRQoL score measured using PCS-12 had an estimated mean score (SD) of 46.62 ± 8.55. The mean MCS-12 score (SD) was estimated to be 47.80 ± 9.71. The area-level predictors explained a proportion of 13.6-17.2% for the between-area variation of the HRQoL scores, regardless of the total HRQoL, physical component and mental component. The impacts of stigma (P < 0.01), social support (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), depression (P < 0.05) and social economic status (P < 0.05) on HRQoL at the individual-level were significantly different. The plots visualized the impact of individual-level factors on a respondent's HRQoL was modified by the area-level characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

The study identified the possible strategy determinant of individual HRQoL of PLWHIV and also the area effect on HRQoL. Stigma, social support, anxiety, depression and social economic status were the individual-level determinants on HRQoL. These could be a valuable resource for evaluating the overall health of the areas and help improve local decision making.

Beyond viral suppression: Quality of life among stable ART clients in a differentiated service delivery intervention in Tanzania

BACKGROUND

With antiretroviral therapy, more people living with HIV (PLHIV) in resource-limited settings are virally suppressed and living longer. WHO recommends differentiated service delivery (DSD) as an alternative, less resource-demanding way of expanding HIV services access. Monitoring client's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is necessary to understand patients' perceptions of treatment and services but is understudied in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed HRQoL among ART clients in Tanzania accessing two service models.

METHODS

Cross-sectional survey from May-August 2019 among stable ART clients randomly sampled from clinics and clubs in the Shinyanga region providing DSD and clinic-based care. HRQoL data were collected using a validated HIV-specific instrument-Functional Assessment of HIV infection (FAHI), in addition to socio-demographic, HIV care, and service accessibility data. Descriptive analysis of HRQoL, logistic regression and a stepwise multiple linear regression were performed to examine HRQoL determinants.

RESULTS

629 participants were enrolled, of which 40% accessed DSD. Similar HRQoL scores [mean (SD), p-value]; FAHI total [152.2 (22.2) vs 153.8 (20.6), p 0.687] were observed among DSD and clinic-based care participants. Accessibility factors contributed more to emotional wellbeing among DSD participants compared to the clinic-based care participants (53.4% vs 18.5%, p =  < 0.001). Satisfactory (> 80% of maximum score) HRQoL scoring was associated with (OR [95% CI], p-value) being male (2.59 [1.36-4.92], p 0.004) among clinic participants and with urban residence (4.72 [1.70-13.1], p 0.001) among DSD participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar HRQoL was observed in DSD and clinic-based care. Our research highlights focus areas to identify supporting interventions, ultimately optimizing HRQoL among PLHIV.

Health-related quality of life and associated factors among people living with human immunodeficiency virus on highly active antiretroviral therapy in North East Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

HIV/AIDS remains a public health concern affecting millions of people across the world. Although the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients living with HIV has significantly improved after treatment, its chronicity makes the HRQoL uncertain. This study assessed factors associated with the health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART in North-East Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2018, and systematic random sampling was used to select 235 participants who were on HAART. HRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis were computed using the statistical package for social sciences version 20.

RESULTS

The study revealed one-factor structure and had good overall internal consistency (78.5). Over one-third (42.6%; 95% CI; 36.2%, 48.9%) of participants had good HRQoL. The least HRQoL mean score was found for cognitive functioning 32.21(±19.78), followed by social functioning 40.58(±29.8). Factors associated with the overall HRQoL were 25-45 years of age (β = - 3.55, 95% CI;-6.54, -0.55), working in private sector (β = -5.66, 95% CI;-9.43, -1.88), government (β = -4.29, 95% CI;-7.83, -0.75) and self-employment (β = -8.86, 95% CI;-13.50, -4.21), 100-200 (β = - 4.84, 95% CI;-9.04, -0.63) and 201-350 CD4 at the time of diagnosis (β = - 7.45, 95% CI;-11.73, -3.16), 351-500 current CD4 level (β = 8.34, 95% CI;5.55, 11.41), 6-10 years of disease duration (β = -8.28, 95% CI;-12.51, -4.04), WHO stage II (β = -4.78, 95% CI;-8.52, -1.04) and III (β = 3.42, 95% CI;0.06, 6.79) during treatment initiation and not taking of Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (β = -5.79, 95% CI;-8.34, -3.25).

CONCLUSIONS

High proportion of participants had a poor HRQoL. Routine assessment and appropriate interventions at each visit is recommended to improve HRQoL.

Treatment adherence mediates the relationship between HIV-related stigma and health-related quality of life

There is a strong association between HIV-related stigma (HS) and health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS, yet few studies, to date, have examined mediators of this link. This study examined the mediating role of antiretroviral medication adherence (MA) on association between HS and HRQoL. Respondents were 969 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) (628 males and 341 females, Mean age = 35.55, years), conveniently drawn from four hospital facilities in Enugu and Ebonyi States of Nigeria. Data were collected using HIV Stigma Scale, Morisky Medical Adherence Scale, and Patient Reported Outcome Quality of Life-HIV. Data were analysed using the Hayes PROCESS macro for SPSS which uses a regression-based, path-analytical framework. Results showed that HS across dimensions (personalised stigma, disclosure concern, concern about people's attitude and negative self-image) were negatively associated with MA (r = -.16; p < .001, r = -.13; p < .00, r = -.22; p < .001 and r = -.21; p < .001, respectively) HRQoL. MA was positively associated with HRQoL (r = . 24; p < .001). MA mediated HS-HRQoL association. These findings suggest that stigma associated with HIV/AIDS is associated with poor adherence to active antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment regimen, which can result in poor health and treatment outcome among PLWH. The findings may be helpful in improving HRQoL among PLWH.

Health related quality of life of people receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy in Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is a standard of HIV management to suppress viral load and delay progression to AIDS. However, questions have been raised about the use of antiretroviral therapy and how it affects quality of life (QoL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). The study hence aimed to assess the QoL of PLWHA who were taking HAART at Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH) and identify factors associated with QoL.

METHODS

A cross sectional study was conducted among PLWHA receiving HAART at MTUTH from March 04-April 1, 2018. Patients were recruited consecutively and interviewed with structured questionnaire. A data abstraction tool was used to extract data from patient medical records. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life HIV- BREF (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF) standard tool. Data was entered to Epi-Info version 3.5.3 and analyzed using SPSS version 22 for windows. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was fitted to identify factors associated with QoL. A statistical significance was established at a p value <0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 240 participants with the mean age of 35.11 (SD = 9.08) years were included in the study. This study found that 57.1% of the patients had high global score of QoL. Patients with normal current health (AOR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.56-7.31)) and having family support (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI = 1.51-6.46) were positively associated with high global score of QoL, while patients with low HAART adherence (AOR = 0.40, 95%, CI = 0.19-0.86) were negatively associated with high global score of QoL.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that more than half of the participants had high global score of QoL. Normal current health and family support were associated with better global score of QoL, while low HAART adherence was found to be associated with the lower global score of QoL.