Quality of Life in People Living With HIV: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey in Belgium

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey explored the quality of life in 505 people living with HIV in Belgium. Several domains of quality of life were impaired: 26% had been diagnosed with depression and 43% had weak social support. HIV-related stigma is still widespread, with 49% believing most people with HIV are rejected and 65% having experienced discrimination due to HIV. The impact of HIV was limited on professional life, but 40% experienced a negative impact on life satisfaction and 41% a negative impact on sexual life. For several domains, people with a recent diagnosis of HIV and long-term survivors had significantly worse scores. This survey also uncovered strengths of people living with HIV, such as positive coping and HIV self-image. Expanding the scope of quality of life in people living with HIV may provide a more complete picture of relevant life domains that may be impacted by living with HIV, but this needs further validation.

Predictors of sexual dysfunction in HIV-infected men

“…The results of this study are consistent with those of the study by Pinzone et al in Italy carried out on 109 HIV-infected men indicating 58% of sexual dysfunction (7). The main cause of sexual dysfunction in HIV-infected men could be associated to psychological effects (feeling guilty, depression, anger, and fear of transmission to sexual partner), physical changes (changes in body image), inflammation and atherosclerosis caused by HIV infection (3,9,17,18). Pathophysiology of sexual dysfunction is complex and involves psychological, endocrine and vascular-neural factors (8, 19 -22).…”

“…Studies have reported a higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction among HIV-infected people compared to the general population (4,6), the reason for which might be the fear of the risk of transmission, the stigma associated with HIV infection, forced use of condoms, changes in body image, and unpleasant conditions caused by HIV infection (3,(6)(7)(8). Sexual dysfunction in HIV-infected individuals is associated with low quality of life, unprotected sexual intercourses, and reduced adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (9)(10)(11). By chronic suppression of viral load, HAART reduces the risk of disease transmission.…”