Evaluation of quality of life and associated factors among HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy in North West region of Cameroon

Abstract

Background: There is evidence that Quality of Life (QoL) of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) has a significant role in ART retention, treatment adherence, and survival. As a result, QoL is becoming increasingly important for policy- makers, program implementers, and researchers. However, factors associated with QoL, in a culturally diverse country like Cameroon are unknown.
 Objective: We aimed to assess the QoL of PLHIV on ART and assess the extent to which physical, psychosocial, environ- mental, and spiritual factors drive QoL.
 Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 394 PLHIV aged >21 in North-West Cameroon from April to July 2019. Data were collected using WHO-QOL BREF questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed.
 Results: Majority (34.5%) of participants were in the age range of 41-50, with 73% females. The average QoL of the re- spondents was “good” with mean score of 3.57 on 5 and 71.4% agreed to have satisfactory QoL. Bivariate regression anal- yses revealed that all six proposed predictors were significantly associated with QoL. Psychological factors made the greatest impact (β = 0.213; p<0.003), followed by physical factors (β = 0.19; p<0.001).
 Conclusion: PLHIV fairly agreed to have good QoL. The QoL was driven by mainly psychological and physical factors and not level of independence. However, the mean score perceptions for the investigated domains were low. Mental health ser- vices should consider these predictors when designing strategies to improve the QoL of PLHIV. While this study provides useful insights, other possible drivers of QoL among PLHIV should be investigated.
 Keywords: Quality of life and associated factors; HIV patients; antiretroviral therapy; Cameroon.

Comorbidities and factors associated with health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS in Gandaki Province of Nepal

“…Spiritual well-being can contribute positively to the mental and emotional resilience of PLHIV, playing a role in coping with the challenges associated with the disease. Study conducted in the north-west region of Cameroon, reported the highest mean score in the spiritual belief domain, followed by levels of independence, physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains [35].…”

Perceived Health Status, Quality of Life and Treatment-Seeking Behaviour Among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) Attending Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic at a Tertiary Care Centre of North India

“…1,4 Though the survival is prolonged, still PLHIV continue to suffer from many physical problems including side effects of therapy like pain and fatigue, etc., mental health issues like depression and social issues like isolation. 5,6,7 All these things determine their health status and impact the quality of life (QOL) of PLHIV. 8 As per the World Health Organization (WHO), 'Quality of Life is an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns'.…”