Quality of life of HIV-infected individuals: insights from a study of patients in Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract

Background Quality of life (QOL) is one of the major factors to assessing the health and wellbeing of People living with HIV (PLWH). Likewise, improved QOL is among the prominent goals of patient treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the QOL of PLWH in Kermanshah, Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 364 PLWH of Kermanshah between 2016 and 2017. Outpatients were selected as the sample through the convenience sampling method from HIV Positive Clients of Kermanshah Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center. The reasons for the selection of outpatients include: (a) some patients were substance users, homeless or did not have a fixed address to follow-up; (b) addresses and personal details that were registered on the first admission were incorrect or incomplete; (c) due to financial issues, some were forced to relocate frequently and were difficult to track; (d) some patients were convicts or prisoners, making it hard to find them after their release; (e) some of them were from other provinces, where managing access was not easy/possible. Data was collected using WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire (Persian Version). Data also analyzed with STATA 14, and SPSS 23 using T-test and multiple regression. Results This study showed that mean (SD) age of PLWH was 40.21 (10.45) years. Females had better QOL than males except for spirituality, religion and personal beliefs. The gender differences disappeared in multivariate results. A significant association was observed between education and the independence, environment, and spirituality domains of QOL. In addition, being married was correlated with overall QOL, psychological and social relationships domains of QOL of PLWH. Drug use was a behavioral factor with negative influence on the QOL. Conclusion This study found that marital status and drug use were the main predictors of various domains of QOL. Drug use was a behavioral factor with a negative influence on the QOL. Hence, it is recommended that health professionals, planners, and policymakers take effective measures to improve the status quo.

Evaluation of the effect of Artemisia Annua L. and Moringa Oleifera Lam. on CD4 count and viral load among PLWH on HAART at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Our ndings also indicate that the highest mean difference scores were reported in the psychological domain for both A. annuaarm (15.7, p = 0.003) and A.annua + M.oleifera (29.02, p < 001). These ndings are in line with previous studies [31,33,34], and the ndings provide a useful assessment of how PLWH participants' lives are affected by treatment interventions. The high psychological score may also generally play into [35] improved mental health, adherence to treatment, higher immune response to HIV infection, and well-being of individuals.…”

“…Health-related QoL is increasingly recognized as an important outcome in randomized trials [30] because it provides valuable information to assess the health status and well-being of PLWH [31,32]. We observed a signi cant improvement in the reported QoL, with signi cant mean differences between the baseline and 12-month scores observed in the physical, social and psychological domains of the WHOQOL-BREF tool for both individuals using A. annua and M. oleifera (Table 4).…”

Lifestyle in People Living With HIV: A Study of Patients in Kermanshah, Iran

“…1 There is no cure for this disease, and to date, 36.3 million people have died from this disease. 2 However, with increasing awareness of methods of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and patient care, HIV has become a chronic controllable disease that allows infected people to live long, healthy lives. 3…”

Determinants of Health-Related Quality of Life (HrQoL) of People living with HIV Based on Sexual Orientation

“…Previous studies have also reported factors associated with good QoL of PLHIV, such as being employed, having no financial concerns, not having mental health issues (e.g., stress, depression, anxiety) and other medical comorbidities, higher education level, and undergoing ART. 8,10,14,17,18 Other supporting factors for good QoL of PLHIV include the availability of social support, including emotional, tangible, and informational support, and having good coping strategies towards HIV-related difficult life situation. 19,20 Similarly, studies with MSM living with HIV have reported that their better acceptance of the illness, family acceptance and peer support are positively associated with their better QoL.…”

“…[11][12][13] The use of illicit drugs which negatively influence the physical and mental well-being of PLHIV was also found to cause poor QoL among them. 14 Stigma, perceived discrimination, adverse effects of ART, non-adherence to ART low family income are factors associated with poor QoL among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV 15,16 .…”