Evaluation of Quality of Life of People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection who are on Antiretroviral Treatment Attending Clinic in Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Background: Health related Quality of life for people living with HIV infection is a big problem in most of the society in the developing countries. In many settings, poor quality of life is associated with lower immune response non-adherence, poor mental health and greater disease severity. However, many studies have looked the effect of antiretroviral drug (ARV) on general morbidity, mortality, cost and hospitalization. The biomedical effect of ARV has not been linked to the quality of life on the patients receiving antiretroviral in most developing countries. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate quality of life of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receiving antiretroviral treatment attending clinic in Dar es Salaam. Methodology: A cross-sectional retrospective pre and post descriptive design was used to answer the research questions. Quantitative data approach was employed to collect required data. About 245 participants attending antiretroviral treatment (ARV) clinic in Mwananyamala regional referral hospital for a period of six weeks. A standard questionnaire (WHO QOL-HIV BREF) tool used to collect information. Data was analyzed by using statistical package of social science (SPSS) version 20. Descriptive statistic measures of mean and standard deviation was used to perform data analysis. Results: A total of two hundred and forty five (245) patients living with HIV were interviewed. Majority of the respondents were female comprising 159 (64.9%) while males were about 86 (35.1 %). Significant proportion of the study participants were in good health condition comprising 192 (78.4%) and 14 (5.7%) were in a poor of the health situation. Quality of life of the studied subjects improved following ARTs treatment in almost all domains except social domain. Physical domain with average mean score of 2.7 higher after treatment, psychological domain particularly in depression has mean score of 2.1higher than before treatment, Economic activity with the average mean score improved to 2.9 after treatment. Social domain the average mean score of 2.7 was equal to before treatment hence does not improve after ART initiation. Conclusion: The respondents reported improved in psychological functioning, mental and emotional wellbeing, while receiving ARVs than before started ARV treatment. In regarding, physical functioning respondents receiving ARVs were on average better off, after being treated by ARVs than before. Regarding sexual performance, most of the respondents were less functional after starting ARV treatment.