World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS IN RELATION TO HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV RECEIVING HIGHLY ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ATTENDING A PUBLIC HEALTHCARE SETTING IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Prof. Lucky Norah Katende-Kyenda*

ABSTRACT

Background: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have their life expectancy increased because of advert of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) that improves their longevity. However, a great threat to their health-related quality life (HRQOL) is the socio-demographic challenges. PLWHA can now live longer but with increasing rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Thus, prevention of NCDs is crucial to maintain and gain health-related benefits and maximising their HRQOL in their long-term management. Aim of the Study: To determine association between Socio-demographic factors in relation to HRQOL of PLWHA receiving HAART attending a public healthcare setting in South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenient sampling to select 100 PLWHA attending at the HIV-clinic. Socio-demographic factors were obtained using a face-to-face interview in a Standardized Questionnaire. Health Related Quality of Life of HIV infected information was obtained using WHOQOL-HIV-BREF questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 and presented as mean, standard deviation and ranges. Categorical and data presented by frequencies and percentages. Independent t-test and ANOVA were used to compare the continuous variables accordingly. A level of P – value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of 100 interviewed, 63% females and 37% males had mean-age of 38 years with 36% in age-range of 31-40 years, 47% had secondary-education, 20% were contract-employees, 32% receiving ≥ZAR10000 monthly, 55% were living in rural-areas and 42% were singles. Good health-status was reported in 92%, 72% having initial-CD4-count of ≥500cells/mm3, 54% having initial-viral-load ≥10000 copies/mL and 98% undetectable. Asymptomatic were 62% and 43% with WHO-clinical stage of 2. Only 24% had acceptable adherence-rate of ≥90%. Socio-demographic factors that had significant association with WHOQOL were secondary educational level (F = 2.58; P= 0.042), age group of 31-40 years (F= 3.609; P=0.033) and initial CD4 count of ≥500cells/mm3 (F= 4.936; P=0.029). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that patient’s Socio-demographic factors, in respect to secondary educational level, age group of 31-40 years, and initial CD4 count of ≥500cells/mm3 were significantly associated with HRQOL. Illiteracy is responsible for HIV-infection in different geographic areas; therefore, the healthcare system needs to strengthen universal basic education mandatory to further reduce HIV prevalence in certain age group, increasing CD4 count thus improving Heath Related Quality of life of PLWHA.

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