Medicina Comunitária e Educação em Saúde

Abstrato

Assessment of Health Related Quality of Life among People Living with HIV/AIDS Attending Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic in Metekel Zone

Mulugeta Admasu

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a viral disease that leads to immune suppression. According to the most recent estimates globally, an estimated 36.9 million people were living with HIV, while 2 million were newly infected in 2014, the largest number (1.4 million) of new HIV infections was estimated to be in Sub Saharan Africa. The main aim of this study is to assess risky sexual behavior and health related quality of life and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Metekel zone Benishangul Gumuz regional state. An institution based cross-sectional quantitative study design was conducted in selected health institution in Benishangul Gumuz Regional state. To assure quality, questionnaires was checked for completeness, coded and entered in to EPI INFO version 3.5.3 and exported for analysis using SPSS for Windows versions 20. Descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation have been used to summarize the score of the relevant variables. Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors affecting sexual behavior and Health related quality of life of people living with HIV. The overall Good Health related quality of life of PLWHA of the study participants was 189 (48.3%). Current CD4 count greater than 200 Cells/mm3 , Income greater than 3000 birr were found to be significantly associated with Good Health related quality of life. Level of risky sexual behavior among the study participants was high. Level of HRQOL of the study participants with Good QOL was low and needs further intervention. We recommend branches of Ethiopian Ministry of Health and organizations concerned about welfare of PLWHA to enhance social support services delivered of HIV/AIDS to improve psychological, environmental, and overall HRQoL of the target group.