Quality of life, clinical characteristics and treatment adherence of people living with HIV/AIDS

Authors

  • Ana Cristina de Oliveira e Silva Universidade Federal da Paraíba; Departamento de Enfermagem Clinica
  • Renata Karina Reis Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto
  • Jordana Almeida Nogueira Universidade Federal da Paraíba; Departamento de Enfermagem Clinica
  • Elucir Gir Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.3534.2508

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: to assess the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and verify its association with clinical characteristics and treatment adherence. METHOD: cross-sectional study conducted in a hospital in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical data. The quality of life scale proposed by the World Health Organization and a questionnaire to measure treatment adherence were used. RESULTS: of the 314 interviewees, 190 (60.5%) were male, aged 43 years on average, 121 (38.5%) had attended up to five years of schooling, 108 (34.4%) received up to two times the minimum wage, and 112 (35.7%) were on sick leave. In regard to clinical variables, individuals with an undetectable viral load scored higher in all the domains concerning quality of life, with statistically significant differences in three domains. Regarding treatment adherence, 235 (73.8%) presented poor adherence and those who strictly adhered to treatment obtained better scores in quality of life. The results show that quality of life is better among individuals adherent to ART. Supporting people to adhere to the antiretroviral treatment should be a persistent task of healthcare workers and other people participating in the treatment, such as family members and friends.

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Published

2014-12-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Quality of life, clinical characteristics and treatment adherence of people living with HIV/AIDS . (2014). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 22(6), 994-1000. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-1169.3534.2508