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

Abstract

BackgroundOne of the major challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLH) is the compromised quality of life due to the negative impact of HIV on their health. HIV/AIDS control effort should go beyond laboratory and lay more emphasis on improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for PLH. The objective of this study is to evaluate the physical and mental HRQoL of PLH in rural China, and explore the relationship between HRQoL and individual- and family-level factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 522 PLH in Anhui, China. Participant’s sociodemographic characteristics, family status, and HIV-related factors were collected. Physical health summary score (PHS) and mental health summary score (MHS) of quality of life were measured. Multiple linear regressions were conducted to estimate the association of the individual- and family-level factors with MHS and PHS.ResultsMale were more likely to report a higher level of PHS and MHS than female (β = 0.123, P = 0.009; β = 0.150, P = 0.002). Age was significantly negatively associated with the PHS (β = − 0.232, P<0.001) when other variables were controlled. Family size remained negatively correlated with PHS (β = − 0.105, P = 0.021). Family annual income was significantly positively associated with PHS and MHS (β = 0.126, P = 0.003; β = 0.135, P = 0.002).ConclusionsFuture intervention should be carefully tailored to the specific needs of sub-populations (such as female and older PLH) considering their physical and mental HRQoL conditions. More attention and care should be provided to PLH with left-behind children in the family.

Evaluating an intervention for family members of people who use drugs in Vietnam

“…The lowest level of depressive symptoms and the best family functioning was reported by the family members with the highest income. Low family income represents inadequate healthcare resources and a lack of access to social services, which may influence a family's ability to cope with substance dependence-related financial and psychosocial burdens (Xiao et al, 2019). We have also observed gender disparity in depressive symptoms between female and male family members.…”

“…As suggested by the literature, family members' background characteristics, such as gender, age, income, and family role, are particularly salient to the outcome of interests (Noori et al, 2015;Shafer and Pace, 2015;Xiao et al, 2019). Thus, we collected family members' demographic characteristics, including age, gender, marital status, education, and annual family income (đồng).…”

“…Female family members, in particular, are more prone to mental health challenges because of their expected role as family caregivers (Shafer and Pace, 2015). Spousal role and lower monthly income were also found to be factors associated with mental stress (Noori et al, 2015;Xiao et al, 2019). Intervention efforts to address the mental health challenges of families impacted by drug use are urgently needed.…”

Association of Syndemic Conditions and Quality of Life among People Living with HIV/AIDS

“…Many studies have found similar associations with demographic characteristics with the ones found in the present analysis. Female sex and advanced age have been widely associated with lower QoL [7][8][9]. Regarding advanced age, this association may be mediated by multiple comorbidities (and polypharmacy), physiological frailty, and cognitive dysfunction that are common in this population group [63].…”

“…Different sociodemographic and psychosocial factors are related to worse QoL in PLWHA, such as advanced age [7][8][9], lower income [7], female sex [7][8][9][10], death anxiety [11], substance use problems [9,12,13], tobacco use [9], and depression [9,12,14]. In contrast, younger age, higher educational level [15], and early adherence to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) have been associated with better QoL [16,17].…”