Predictors of quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction in individuals living with HIV and AIDS in a resource-constrained setting in South Africa |
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| Authors: | Kim Jonas Nicolette Vanessa Roman Luis Angel Saúl Gutiérrez Guillem Feixas |
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| Institution: | 1. Population Health, Health Systems and Innovation, Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa;2. Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa;3. Facultad de Psicología, UNED, Madrid;4. University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain |
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| Abstract: | The burden of HIV disease is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in South Africa (SA). Whilst there have been many studies conducted on the biomedical and socio-psychological aspects of HIV and AIDS, insufficient attention has been paid to the quality of life of those infected with the virus. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the predictors of quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction (Q-LES) among individuals infected with HIV. A battery of questionnaires, which included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), were administered to 121 participants. Data was analysed using SPSS. Of the total sample (n = 121), 74% were females. The study found that a large proportion (49.5%) of the sample within the age group 25–49 years old experienced psychological distress. Those who were not on antiretroviral treatment (ART) were significantly affected (66%). Psychological distress was significantly prevalent among HIV positive individuals and also the strongest predictor of Q-LES among these individuals. |
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| Keywords: | AIDS antiretroviral therapy (ART) anxiety correlation depression HIV psychological distress quality of life |
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