Quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-country comparison study of Finland and Portugal

Abstract

The premises underlying the development of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) instruments provide a convincing rationale for comparing quality of life (QoL) across countries. The aim of the present study was to compare the quality of life (QoL) of patients living with HIV infection in Finland and in Portugal, and to examine the contribution of the QoL domains to the overall QoL in these two countries. The sample comprised 453 patients from Finland (76.3% male; mean age = 46.50) and 975 from Portugal (69.2% male; mean age = 40.98), all living with HIV. QoL data were collected by use of the WHOQOL-HIV-Bref questionnaire. Significant country differences were found in QoL domains and specific facets. Patients from Finland reported markedly higher scores on all six QoL domains and general facet, than did their Portuguese counterparts. Regarding the specific facets of the WHOQOL-HIV-Bref, patients from Finland also reported significantly higher scores on 24 out of 29. The exceptions were dependence on medications and treatment, positive feelings, personal relationships, sexual activity, and on spirituality, religion and personal beliefs.Regression analyses showed that physical, psychological, and independence domains contributed to overall QoL among the Finnish patients (R 2 = 0.63), whereas among the Portuguese the domains significantly associated with overall QoL were physical, psychological, independence, and environment (R 2 = 0.48). Country differences in QoL domains and specific facets may reflect sociocultural differences between southern and northern Europe.

Factors influencing the quality of life in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Almaty, Kazakhstan

“…Possible explanation may be that lower education is to some extent a proxy of lower socioeconomic status and potentially decreases opportunities for employment and social support, and may also reflect a poorer ability to understand treatment recommendations. 35 In contrast with other findings, 11,29,31,[36][37][38] gender and employment status were not associated with HRQoL in our sample. Several HIV-related clinical variables were independently associated with HRQoL (CD4þ T-cell count, presence of co-infections) or with some specific HRQoL domains (HIV VL, CD4þ count, time since HIV diagnosis), supporting previous evidence of significant associations between poor clinical parameters and decreased HRQoL.…”

“…Possible explanation may be that lower education is to some extent a proxy of lower socio-economic status and potentially decreases opportunities for employment and social support, and may also reflect a poorer ability to understand treatment recommendations. 35 In contrast with other findings, 11 , 29 , 31 , 36 – 38 gender and employment status were not associated with HRQoL in our sample.…”

“…A stable family situation and living together as a couple are thought to be contributors to higher HRQoL possibly through social and emotional support for PLHIV. 25,[29][30][31] In our study, age and educational level were not independent predictors of HRQoL, but were significantly associated with lower scores in several HRQoL domains. Although published findings have been mixed, ours, to some extent, are consistent with those indicating that older patients report worse HRQoL scores.…”

“…A stable family situation and living together as a couple are thought to be contributors to higher HRQoL possibly through social and emotional support for PLHIV. 25 , 29 – 31 …”

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the WHOQOL-HIV BREF to assess quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study

“… 12–17 To better understand and evaluate the QOL of PLWHA, a reliable and valid measurement tool for QOL is important. 7 11 Several instruments have been applied to assess the QOL of PLWHA such as the EQ-5D, 15 SF-36, 17 WHOQOL-HIV BREF, 16 MOS-HIV, 14 AIDS-HAQ 18 and FAHI. 19 Compared with generic questionnaires, AIDS-specific questionnaires have greater relevance and sensitivity.…”