Health related quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients on highly active anti-retroviral therapy at a university referral hospital in Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundHighly active antiretroviral therapy improves the longevity of patients living with HIV/AIDS. We conducted the study in order to assess health related quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients and the association of socio-demographic and disease related variables with health related quality of life.MethodsHealth facility based cross-sectional study among 400 HIV/AIDS patients taking highly active anti-retroviral therapy from Gondar University referral hospital was conducted. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, which was adopted from World Health Organization Quality of life brief instrument, was used. The data were then analyzed using SPSS version 20 software for Windows.ResultsThe majority of the respondents reported to to have a good physical health (15.55). The World Health Organization clinical stage was found to be significantly associated with all the domains of health related quality of life. The current acute illness condition of the respondents, however, did not show significant association with any of the domains of health related quality of life.ConclusionsThe six domains of health related quality of life were found to be moderate. The physical health and spirituality of the patients were relatively higher than their social relationship. Sex, age, educational status, residence and marital status showed significant association with at least one domain of health related quality of life.

<p>Health-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among Adult HIV Mono-Infected and TB/HIV Co-Infected Patients in Public Health Facilities in Northeast Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study</p>

“…Various evidences showed that socio-demographic, clinical, psychological and behavioral factors, immunological status, presence of symptoms, depression, stigma, and social support (Figure 1) are the most frequently and consistently reported factors associated with HRQOL among HIV mono-infected and TB/HIV co-infected people. 7,11,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] TB/HIV co-infection places a massive burden on health-care systems, particularly in highly affected countries such as Ethiopia.…”

“…However, the positive relationship of being urban dwellers with the level of the independence domain is in contrast with the finding of the same study. 22 This difference might be because in a rural community there is a small difference regarding the social classes and a minimum gap between the high class and lower class in respect to living standards compared with urban residents, whereas the possible reason for the positive relationship between urban residency and environmental health might be due to the fact that in urban areas getting the needed infrastructures and means of transportation is relatively easier than for rural residents.…”

<p>Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among HIV/AIDS Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) at Ambo General Hospital, West Shewa, Ethiopia</p>

“…This finding is consistent with studies conducted in Jimma, Ethiopia, 28 and Bangladesh, in which the clinical stage was to be associated with overall HRQoL, 16 and opposite to a study conducted in Zimbabwe. 27 The higher WHO clinical stages may be associated with limited day-to-day activities, which may eventually result in low HRQoL. In the current study, marital status was also associated with low overall HRQoL, in that those who were not married was more likely to experience low overall HRQoL than married participants.…”

“…26 Marital status also had a significant association with HRQoL, and this finding is consistent with a study conducted in Zimbabwe. 27 Patients with WHO clinical stage I disease were less likely to experience low overall QoL than those with stage II (AOR: 0.07, P=0.000). This finding is consistent with studies conducted in Jimma, Ethiopia, 28 and Bangladesh, in which the clinical stage was to be associated with overall HRQoL, 16 and opposite to a study conducted in Zimbabwe.…”

“… 26 Marital status also had a significant association with HRQoL, and this finding is consistent with a study conducted in Zimbabwe. 27 …”