Quality of life predictors for people living with HIV/AIDS in an impoverished region of Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Quality of life (QoL) is important for people living with HIV/AIDS, particularly as the disease progresses. This study evaluated the QoL of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), as well as its predictors, in one of the most impoverished regions of Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with patients older than 18 years with HIV/AIDS from two specialized HIV/AIDS care centers in the city of Montes Claros between 2013 and 2014. Sample size was calculated considering the estimates of mean scores for various dimensions of the European Portuguese version of the World Health's Organization Quality of Life Instrument in HIV Infection (WHOQOL-HIV Bref). The following parameters were adopted: CI of 95%, estimated mean scores for QoL equal to 15, estimated variance for QoL scores equal to 16, and 5% relative margin of error. An increase of 20% was established to compensate for possible non-responses or losses, and correcting any design effect, adopting a deff equal to 2.0. Calculations revealed the need to interview at least 221 patients. Therefore, 226 patients living with HIV/AIDS were randomly selected. RESULTS: A total of 226 patients with mean age 43.7 years were evaluated: 51.8% men, 51.8% unemployed, 51.8% with low schooling level, 89.8% used antiretrovirals, and 43.3% experienced depression. Despite this, data indicated that 65% self-assessed their QoL as good and very good. Low QoL was associated with sociodemographic variables and some clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: Depression was the main predictor of low QoL in all domains evaluated.

Qualidade de vida de pessoas vivendo com HIV/Aids / Quality of life of people living with Hiv/Aids / Calidad de vida de las personas viviendo con HIV/SIDA

Qualidade de vida inclui vários significados, experiências, conhecimentos e também valores que se referem aos indivíduos e à coletividade no momento histórico, cultural e social em que vivem. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a qualidade de vida das pessoas que vivem com HIV/aids. Tratou-se de um estudo analítico, transversal, conduzido na linha quantitativa, envolvendo 30 indivíduos escolhidos de forma aleatória, em um hospital de referência no estado da Paraíba. Para coleta de dados, utilizou-se o instrumento WHOQOL-HIV BREF e um questionário sociodemográfico. Para a análise dos dados utilizou-se a sintaxe oferecida pelo WHOQOL Group. Para análise de descrição dos escores dos domínios, foi utilizada estatística descritiva, frequência simples, medidas de dispersão (desvio-padrão, valores mínimo e máximo). Os resultados revelaram que as pessoas vivendo com HIV/ aids apresentam bons escores nos domínios de qualidade de vida. Concluiu-se que, apesar da condição clínica, as pessoas entrevistadas estão satisfeitas com a vida que levam.

Life quality includes several meanings, experiences, knowledge, and values related to individuals and collectivity in the historical, cultural and social moments in which they live. The objective of this study was to evaluate quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. It was an analytical, transversal study, conducted using a quantitative approach, involving 30 individuals chosen randomly, performed in a reference hospital of Paraíba. To collect data the instrument WHOQOL-HIV BREF was used and also a social demographic questionnaire. For data analysis the syntax offered by the WHOQOL Group was used. For analysis of description of the scores of dominion, descriptive statistic, simple frequency, dispersion measures (standard deviation, minimum and maximum value) were used. The results revealed that people living with HIV/aids present good scores in the dominion of life quality. We conclude that despite the clinical condition, the people interviewed are satisfied with the life they live.

La calidad de vida incluye varios significados, experiencias, conocimientos, valores relacionados con individuos y la colectividad en momento histórico, cultural y social en que viven. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la calidad de vida de personas que viven con VIH / SIDA. Estudio transversal analítico, utilizando enfoque cuantitativo. Han participado 30 personas elegidas al azar, realizado en hospital de referencia de Paraíba. Para recopilar datos se utilizó el instrumento WHOQOL-BREF VIH y también cuestionario sociodemográfico. Para análisis de datos se utilizó la sintaxis ofrecido por el Grupo WHOQOL. Fueran usados para análisis de descripción de puntuaciones de dominio, estadística descriptiva, frecuencia simples y medidas de dispersión (desviación estándar, mínimo y máximo). Los resultados revelan que personas que viven con VIH / SIDA presentan buena puntuación en dominio de calidad de vida. Se concluye que a pesar de la situación clínica, las personas están satisfechas con la vida que viven.