Quality of life of People living with HIV and AIDS attending the Antiretroviral Clinic, University College Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundQuality of life (QOL) is an important component in the evaluation of the well-being of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), especially with the appreciable rise in longevity of PLWHA. Moreover, limited studies have been conducted in Nigeria on how PLWHA perceive their life with the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Brief Scale (WHOQOL-Bref) instrument.ObjectiveThis study assessed the QOL of PLWHA attending the antiretroviral (ARV) clinics, UCH Ibadan, Nigeria.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2008 that involved 150 randomly selected HIV-positive patients who were regular attendees at the antiretroviral clinic, UCH Ibadan. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic data, satisfaction with perceived social support, medical records, and QOL was assessed with WHOQOL-Bref.ResultsThe mean age of the respondents was 38.1 ± 9.0 years and the male: female ratio was 1:2. The mean CD4 count was higher in female patients than in male patients, 407 cells/mm3: 329 cells/mm3 (p = 0.005). The mean QOL scores on the scale of (0–100) in three domains were similar: psychological health, 71.60 ± 18.40; physical health, 71.60 ± 13.90; and the environmental domain, 70.10 ± 12.00; with the lowest score in the social domain, 68.89 ± 16.70. Asymptomatic HIV-positive patients had significantly better mean QOL scores than symptomatic patients in the physical (74.04 ± 16.85 versus 64.47 ± 20.94, p = 0.005) and psychological domains (76.09 ± 12.93 versus 69.74 ± 15.79, p = 0.015). There was no significant difference in the mean QOL scores of men compared to those of women, in all domains assessed.ConclusionHigh QOL scores in the physical, psychological and environmental domains may be reflective of the effectiveness of some of the interventions PLWHA are exposed to at the ARV clinic, UCH Ibadan (on-going psychotherapy, free antiretroviral drugs). Relatively low social domain scores may suggest ineffective social support networks, because PLWHA are still exposed to stigmatisation and discrimination. An improvement in social support for PLWHA, therefore, will improve their quality of life further.

Quality of life factors affecting quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in an urban area

“…8 In a study conducted by Folasire et al in Nigeria in 2008, the mean age of the respondents was 38.1±9.0 years. 9 This confirms that most of the HIV cases occur among the sexually active and economically productive population who are responsible for child bearing and bread winning for the family. Hence this problem results in economic loss to the country.…”

“…14 In a study Folasire et al, found mean QOL score was similar in male and female. 9 Nirmal et al in their study found women had lower mean QOL score than men, patients with better educational background had higher QOL score. Patients with lower CD4count has significantly lower QOL score.…”

“…9 Lowest score was noted in social domain. Study done by Anand et al documented highest QOL score in spirituality/religion/personal belief domain and similar mean QOL in physical, psychological, social, level of independence domains.…”

Long-term effect of Haart on biochemical profiles of HIV/AIDS patients in a tertiary health facility in Benin city, Nigeria

“…These items are distributed in four domains which include: physical, psychological, social and environmental. In calculating the QoL, the mean score of each item is converted to a scale of 0 to 100, where 100 was considered the highest QoL [12]. Venous blood (5 ml) each was then collected from each patient and healthy control into a plain test tube for biochemical analysis and EDTA (with anticoagulant) tube for immunological assays.…”

Pharmacist Intervention and Quality of Life of HIV-Infected Patients in Nigeria

“…Also, in Bangladesh, it was discovered that majority of the patients were with low QOL in all domains (Imam et al, 2011). Studies in Nigeria by Fatiregun et al (2009) in Kogi State, Odili et al (2011) in Benin City, Folasire et al (2012) in Ibadan and Bello et al (2013) in Ilorin reported poor QOL in social and environmental domains of patients on cART. Most of these earlier studies were not followed with interventions to enhance patients' QOL.…”