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 Tadesse, Sisay Abebe Debela, Mukemil Awol
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.