Quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in Lebanon

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of HIV/AIDS on the quality of life (QoL) in Lebanese adult patients living with HIV/AIDS. The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive survey, using self-administered questionnaires. A convenience sample of 41 Lebanese adults (aged 18 years and above) living with HIV/AIDS was recruited from outpatient departments at two major medical centers in Lebanon. The instruments included the Multidimensional Quality of Life HIV (MQoL-HIV), the HIV Symptom Index and a stigma scale, and a demographic section. The majority of the sample were male and single. The mean age was 38 years (SD=9.93). The mean MQoL-HIV score was 176.85, with the highest scores for the cognitive functioning, social functioning, and medical care; the lowest domain scores were for financial status, sexual functioning, and mental health. A single item measuring overall QoL was rated by 47.5% as neither poor nor good. Mean stigma score was 2.05 (SD=0.62) and mean HIV Symptom Index score was 0.6. Prevalence of symptoms and perceived stigma were negative predictors of QoL, being married was a positive predictor of QoL. The results of this study, which is the first to look at the QoL in people living with HIV/AIDS in Lebanon and the Middle East and North Africa region, showed that these mostly asymptomatic well-functioning individuals reported a fair level of QoL. The strongest determinants of QoL revolved around psychosocial aspects of life, namely social relationships, mental health, and medical care.