RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: 274 children were HIV-infected during 1988-89 in hospitals in the South of Russia during treatment of heavy pathology requiring an intensive therapy and catheterization of large venous vessels. Today only 140 children, receiving HAART now, remain alive. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 1988 - 89 mothers having nosocomially HIV-infected children were tested on a 'WHOQOL-100' technique (Russian version). FINDINGS: Though the majority of mothers estimated the basic domains of quality of life (QoL) as average and good, the significant part considers their QoL as bad (in physical health, 22.7%, in psychological health, 20.4%, in environment, 25%, in social relationship, 11.4%). The least data of the test were in facets of financial resources, medical and social help and 47.7% consider a general QoL and condition of health as bad, 54.5% marks a lack of positive emotions, and 52.3% had plenty of negative emotions. 45.5% of mothers marked unsatisfactory opportunities for rest and entertainments, 31.8% of those interrogated had problems with an environment of a house. For the most part, mothers considered their health as 'neither bad, nor good' (63.9%), as 'basically bad' (9.1%), and 22.7% as 'basically good'. The basic problems are 'heart problems' (38.6%), 'increased blood pressure' (25%), 'chronic nervous/emotional problems' (36.4%), 'depression' (31.8%). The absence of problems with health was noted by only 9.1% of those surveyed. Overall, 54.5% of mothers considered themselves as patients, and 22.7% as requiring medical treatment 'rather urgently'. At the same time, only 11.4% had received stationary treatment 'in the last 2 weeks', and 15.9%, any out-patient treatment. INTERPRETATION: The problems of QoL and of psychosocial rehabilitation of mothers having nosocomially HIV-infected children are discussed.