Quality of life and associated factors in people living with HIV receiving ARV at the outpatient clinic of Tien Giang Center for disease control and prevention

Abstract

The cross - sectional study, conducted in 2023, aimed to measure the average quality of life and describe related factors of 380 people living with HIV (PLWH) and currently undergoing ARV at Tien Giang Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eligible PLWHs were conveniently selected from medical records. Demographic characteristics, ARV treatment characteristics and substance use and alcohol abuse, WHOQoL HIV-BREF and EQ-5D-5L were collected through direct interviews with each individual using a predesigned questionnaire. The mean score of WHOQoL HIV-BREF was 16.01 ± 0.94, the highest in physical domain and the lowest in environment domain. The average EQ-5D- 5L score was 0.94 ± 0,07 and the EQ-VAS score stood at 85.57 ± 9.0. PLWHs who are women or LGB, have a comorbidity, addictive substance use, and alcohol abuse have lower quality of life. PLWHs who age < 35 years, have higher education, are public employees, have income, share HIV status, comply with treatment, achieve ARV treatment goals have better quality of life. WHOQoL HIV-BREF correlated with EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS (p < 0.05). To improve quality of life of PLWHs, the health sector should increase the percentage of PLWHs complying with ARV treatment and promote communication to limit alcohol.