Gender-Related Differences in Quality of Life Domains of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in South India in the Era Prior to Greater Access to Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract

This study sought to examine gender-based differences in the quality of life of men and women living with HIV in South India in the era prior to greater access to antiretroviral therapy. The participants in this prospective longitudinal study consisted of 215 men and 141 women who were administered a quality of life (QOL) instrument comprising five scales: physical well-being, psychosocial well-being, sexual well-being, satisfaction with health care, and strength of partner relationship. Interviews were conducted at enrollment and at 6 months in clinical care. Men and women reported similar scores in physical well-being, satisfaction with health care, and relationship with partner from the period prior to care, at enrollment, and at 6 months. Women scored significantly lower than men in psychosocial well-being from the period prior to care, at enrollment, and at 6 months (p < 0.05); women reported significantly higher levels of partner satisfaction at 6 months (p < 0.05). In light of the increasing feminization of the HIV epidemic in India, greater emphasis should be placed on examining the long-term experiences of Indian women living with HIV/AIDS, particularly their psychosocial well-being.

Gender and Age Differences in Quality of Life and the Impact of Psychopathological Symptoms Among HIV-Infected Patients

“…These findings are coherent with other studies from developing and developed countries [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]15]. Gender differences emerged significantly on Psychological and Spirituality domains.…”

“…Overall, women reported poorer QoL than men [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. More recently, two studies reported lower scores among men [16,17], and a multi-site study reported similar QoL scores among men and women, with the exception of physical QoL, in which women showed significantly higher scores [18].…”

A study on demographic factors affecting quality of life among HIV positive individuals attending a district anti retroviral treatment centre in Mangalore

“…[7][8][9][10][11] Past studies have found that females report symptoms more often than males and rely more on feelings of discomfort during physical activity in reporting health related quality of life (HRQL) as compared with males as seen in our study also. 9 According to a WHO report the gender situation in most societies negatively affects women's power and independence.…”

Qualidade de vida de mulheres vivendo com o HIV/aids de um município do interior paulista

“…Entre los dominios de calidad de vida, espiritualidad obtuvo el mayor puntaje (65,7), seguido por el físico (64, 7), psicológico (60,6), relaciones sociales (59,5). Menores puntajes fueron alcanzados en los dominios nivel de independencia (58,6) y medio ambiente (54,5). Se evidenció que los factores bajo nivel socioeconómico y educacional estuvieron asociados con diferentes dominios, denotando la relación entre calidad de vida y condiciones de vida.…”

“…Studies evidence that the quality of life of women with HIV/AIDS is compromised when compared to that of men; however, few studies about this thematic have been developed in developing countries, and few studies analyze women (5)(6) .…”