An evaluation of quality of life among Cambodian adults living with HIV/AIDS and using antiretroviral therapy: a short report

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL) and analyze its determinants among Cambodian adults living with HIV/AIDS who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). A cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling to select 150 adults 18 years of age or older from the patient population at the HIV/AIDS care hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. QOL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life HIV BREF; socio-demographic characteristics, time elapsed since HIV diagnosis, months on ART, CD4 cell count, family and community support, depression, and anxiety were included in the survey. Results of the multiple regression analysis indicate that positive predictors of QOL included being female, being less 40 years old, having a household monthly income greater than 300 USD, having an education beyond the secondary level, or being employed. However, time elapsed since HIV diagnosis and duration of ART were not significantly associated with QOL and CD4 cell count and the World Health Organization clinical stage had little association with QOL. Perceiving oneself as healthy and happy and reporting no depression or anxiety were associated with a positive QOL. These findings suggest the importance of group-specific interventions to improve the QOL for those people living with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia who are male, have a low household income or education level, are unemployed, or are anxious or depressed.

Qualidade de vida de pessoas vivendo com HIV atendidas em serviços públicos de dois municípios brasileiros

“…O domínio espiritualidade, religião e crenças pessoais contém quatro facetas e apresentou valor médio limítrofe entre intermediário e superior, sendo a segunda maior média entre os domínios. A classificação como intermediário corrobora com os achados em Macaé 3 , em Rio das Ostras 13 , na África do Sul 33 e no Camboja 34 . Os dados na Nigéria 24 e São José 31 obtiveram avaliação superior e, em Mossoró 32 teve média abaixo de dez, sugerindo avaliação inferior da qualidade de vida.…”

“…O domínio físico contém quatro facetas e teve avaliação intermediária, semelhante aos achados na África do Sul 33 , Camboja 34 ; e no Brasil, em Fortaleza 12 e Mossoró 32 . Já os resultados em São José 31 e na Nigéria 24 apontaram escores sugestivos de avaliação superior.…”

“…O domínio meio ambiente apresenta oito facetas relacionadas às condições de vida. Esse domínio apresentou a menor média, embora ainda classificada como intermediária, reafirmando os achados de diversos estudos 3,13,24,31,32,34 . A primeira faceta questiona o quão seguro os participantes se sentem na vida diária, que foi respondida positivamente por 60,1%.…”

Individual and family level factors associated with physical and mental health-related quality of life among people living with HIV in rural China

“…Previous research on the relation between gender and HRQoL of PLH had mixed results. Some studies reported that mental HRQoL of male PLH was better than that of female PLH [42], while others generated opposite results [8, 13]. Other research showed no apparent correlation between gender and HRQoL [10].…”

“…In addition, family factors play an essential role in the HRQoL of PLH in Asia because of the cultural norms with strong family values [12]. Family income [13] and family support [14] were the associating factors identified in previous studies, as family presents a source of support for the individual with HIV/AIDS, contributing to their physical and mental well-being [5]. Therefore, the study of PLH’s HRQoL should focus more on family-related factors.…”