Quality Of Life Of People Living With Hiv/Aids In Kogi State, Nigeria

Introduction: With the appreciable rise in longevity of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), the need for supporting their quality of life (QoL) has become increasingly important. However, limited studies have been conducted using the World Health Organization quality of life HIV (WHOQOL-HIV) bref in our environment. Objective: This study assessed the QoL of PLWHA attending antiretroviral (ARV) clinics in Kogi State in north central Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive crosssectional study design was used. Two hundred fifty-two PLWHA from five health care centres located across the three zones of Kogi State in Nigeria were consecutively selected. A questionnaire, administered at interview and containing data on sociodemographic, medical, and the WHOQOL-HIV bref was used to assess each study participant. Results: The overall QoL mean scores in the three domains were similar: psychological health, 15.0±2.8; physical health, 15.2±2.5; and spirituality/religion/personal beliefs, 15.7± 3.4. Lower QoL mean scores were observed in social relationships (13.2±2.5) and environment (13.1±1.9) domains. A significant difference in mean QoL scores in the level of independence domain was observed among women (14.4±1.9) compared to men (13.9±1.7; p=0.028). Conclusions: Lower QoL in the environment and social relationships domains may be suggestive of stigma and discrimination, as well as poor living conditions, in the PLWHA physical environment.