Health related quality of life of HIV-positive women on ART follow-up in north Shewa zone public hospitals, central Ethiopia: Evidence from a cross-sectional study

Derara Girma; Hiwot Dejene; Leta Adugna Geleta; Mengistu Tesema; Elsabeth Legesse; Tadesse Nigussie; Berhanu Senbeta Deriba; Tinsae Abeya Geleta; Degemu Sahlu; Addisu Waleligne; Sisay Abebe Debela; Mukemil Awol

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13318

Health related quality of life of HIV-positive women on ART follow-up in north Shewa zone public hospitals, central Ethiopia: Evidence from a cross-sectional study

Heliyon. 2023 Jan 29;9(2):e13318. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13318. eCollection 2023 Feb.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public Health, College of Health Science, Salale University, Ethiopia.
² Department of Midwifery, College of Health Science, Salale University, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Evidence revealed that there is a statistically significant gender difference in Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among HIV-positive people on Antiretroviral therapy (ART). Consequently, HIV-positive women have low scores in all HRQoL domains than men. Despite this fact, previous studies in Ethiopia focused on general HIV-positive people and paid less attention to HIV-positive women. Therefore, this study was intended to measure HRQoL and associated factors among HIV-positive women on ART follow-up in north Shewa zone public hospitals, central Ethiopia.

Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 01-April 30, 2022. Four hundred twenty-six women on ART were included using a systematic random sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews and medical record reviews were used to collect data. Both bivariable and multiple linear regressions were computed to identify the factors associated with HRQoL. A p-value <0.05 was used to assert statistically significant variables in multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: The overall mean (SD) score of the HRQoL was 11.84 (2.44). And, 44.7% [95% CI: 40.3, 49.5] of the women have poor HRQoL. In multiple linear regression analysis, factors like depression (β = -0.35), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (β = -0.16), age (β = -0.07), rural residence (β = -0.52), and bedridden functional status (β = -1.02) were inversely associated with HRQoL. Oppositely, good treatment adherence (β = 0.46) was positively associated with overall HRQoL, keeping other factors constant.

Conclusion: This study reveals a high magnitude of poor HRQoL among HIV-positive women. Therefore, as HRQoL domains are comprehensive indicators of living status, healthcare service providers should be dedicated to screening and supporting HIV-positive women with poor HRQoL. Additionally, healthcare providers should also pay special attention to routine PTSD screening and management for HIV-positive women due to its detrimental effect on HRQoL.

Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy; Ethiopia; HIV/AIDS; Quality of life; Women.