Context: HIV/AIDS is known to affect an individual not only physically but also mentally, socially, and financially. It is a syndrome that builds a vacuum in a person affecting his/her life as a whole. Quality of life (QOL) of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immuno deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients has emerged as a significant medical outcome measure in recent times.
Aims: The purpose of the present observational study is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) receiving ART and its association with different social and clinical variables.
Materials and Methods: 140 patients of \(\geq\)18 years with HIV attending the tertiary level ante-retroviral treatment (ART) center were interviewed with using a validated standard version of the World Health Organization QOL (WHO-QOL BREF). Data on sociodemographic and clinical profile e.g., BMI, and CD4 were gathered. Mean scores were calculated in each domain. Descriptive statistics, independent t test, ANOVA and logistic regression were done to analyze the results.
Results: The overall QOL score of the subjects was moderate; Mean quality of life score was highest in the environmental domain (Mean=13.2\(\pm\)4.2). PLHIV with lower BMI also had poorer QOL (P<0.05). Employment significantly affected the social health domain and psychological domains of the subjects. Men reported poorer level of independence and physical health while women reported poorer social relationships and environment. All the six domains correlated significantly with the overall QOL indicated by the G-facet.
Conclusion: Attention toward improving the social status by enhancing sociopsychological supports such as social sensitization, mental health care of patients, and interventions to reduce stigma of PLHIV should be accorded with high priority to ensure improvement in the overall QOL of PLHIV.
