<p>Quality Of Life And Stigma Among People Living With HIV/AIDS In Iran</p>

Abstract

BackgroundStigma against HIV profoundly affects the quality of life (QOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). We aimed to assess the factors associated with QOL in PLWHA in Iran, specifically HIV-related stigma, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.MethodsTwo hundred PLWHA participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using sociodemographic, stigma, and WHO-QOL-BREF questionnaires. Correlations, ANOVAs, and Student’s t-distribution tests were performed as bivariate analyses. We employed stepwise multiple linear regression analysis to explore the main factors associated with QOL domains.ResultsSix domains of QOL were negatively correlated with three domains of stigma (p<0.001 for all). Stepwise multiple linear regression revealed that, after adjusting for confounders, lack of healthcare insurance, having no basic knowledge of HIV/AIDs prior to diagnosis, low monthly income of participants and family, and stigma (blaming and distancing, discrimination, and fear) were associated with low mean score of different domains of QOL.ConclusionOur findings indicated that increasing HIV/AIDS-related stigma decreases QOL in PLWHA in Iran. Attention toward decreasing stigma, improving healthcare plan, and cultivating economic condition should be given high priority to ensure improvement in total QOL and corresponding domains in PLWHA’s life.

Posttraumatic growth and well-being among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis in recognition of 40 years of HIV/AIDS

“…Two reported a negative association between the two variables [75,65], and another indicated a stronger association between SWLS and PTG in less educated participants [68]. Some studies show possible adverse effects of higher education on PLWH's wellbeing, as education level may be associated with more intense perceived stigmatization (e.g., [86]).…”

Factors associated with external HIV-related stigma and psychological distress among people living with HIV in South Africa

“…HIV-related stigma is one of the biggest challenges facing people living with HIV (PLHIV) and has been associated with poor mental health ( Rueda et al, 2016 ). Stigma has been shown to have a negative impact on quality of life for people living with HIV ( Ebrahimi Kalan et al, 2019 ; Rasoolinajad et al, 2018 ). Evidence suggests that psychosocial distress and general substance use increase amongst stigmatized PLHIV ( Zhang et al, 2016 ).…”

Percepções acerca da qualidade de vida de pessoas vivendo com HIVaArtigo extraído da tese “Desenvolvimento de escala para avaliar a qualidade de vida de pessoas vivendo com HIV: parte 2” apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem Fundamental da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, em 2019.

“…25 Ademais, uma pesquisa internacional indicou que o aumento do estigma reduz a QV. 26 Ainda assim, destaca-se que o estigma impactou na sexualidade, uma vez que as falas apresentaram preocupações com a transmissibilidade do HIV ao parceiro sexual. Situação parecida foi descrita em uma pesquisa que apresentou o temor em infectar com HIV o parceiro, além da interferência na disposição sexual ocasionada pelos medicamentos antirretrovirais.…”