A multi-dimensional assessment of quality of life among attendees of a West African HIV clinic and its use in tracking outcome

Background The tracking of outcome in HIV using a measure like health related quality of life (HRQOL), with broad coverage of general wellbeing of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is indicated for evolvement of public health policies toward comprehensive HIV care. Aim This study aimed at evaluating HRQOL across multiple domains among PLWHA. Methods A total of 295 HIV-positive adults were recruited using systematic random sampling method. They were administered socio-demographic questionnaires and 26-item World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref) was used to measure health related quality of life. Results Multi-dimensional assessment of QOL indicated that more participants reported their physical (70.8%), psychological (61.0%), social relationships (70.5%) and environmental (69.2%) domains to be fair. A significant association was observed between unemployment and poor overall QOL (χ2 = 4.83, df = 1, p = 0.028), while being married seems to confer good overall QOL (Kw = 12.63, df = 2, p = 0.002). Again, unemployment status was associated with poorer quality of life in the physical (χ2 = 9.21, df = 2, p = 0.012), psychological (χ2 = 10.92, df = 2, p = 0.002) and environmental (χ2 = 10.13, df = 2, p = 0.012) domains. Conclusions The study observed varied degrees of impairment across specific domains of QOL. To ensure improved QOL, HIV care with relevant policies should target multidimensional aspects of health. Additionally, socio-economic problems like stigma with relationships issues and unemployment should be addressed by the government with institutions of human rights (such as right to equal opportunity, autonomy, privacy and health, safe working environment and information) for all PLWHA. Further research on QOL and tracking of HIV disease outcome with multi-dimensional approach are implied. © 2013 Polish AIDS Research Society.