Factors Effecting Quality of life among HIV infected and AIDS Patients Received Antiretroviral Drugs

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays, the quality of  lives of HIV and  AIDS patients are becoming  more prioritised.  It  is  said  that  by  having  a  good  standard  of  living,  could  enhance  the  quality  of  the patientsu lives to live just like a regular person. In order to stimulate such environment requires lots of in depth studies and  understandings of what the  actual problems could possibly  be and what  could be the factors causing such problems. Methods: Study the levels and factors that affect the quality of lives  of  the  150  HIV  and  AIDS  patients  that  are  currently  receiving  treatment  from  Warinchamrab hospital.  The  data  collection  period  is  between  October  2015  -  July  2016.  The  questionnaire comprises  of  two  main  components,  the  first  part  is a  descriptive  statistical  questionnaire  about personal  characteristics  whereas  the  second  part  uses  inferential  statistical  questionnaire  and  uses simple regression to analyse factors that affect the quality of lives. Results: Most of the respondents were married females aged between 31 - 45 years who have only about secondary level of education or less, and have income range between 2,000 - 5,000 THB/month. Most of them had anticipated the infection of HIV and AIDS for more than six years or in the CD4 level which comprises of about 200 - 500 cells/mm3. On average, the respondentsu level of living quality in terms of physical, mental, social and environment are considered in the medium level. Conclusion: Significant factors that affect the quality  of  lives  are  level  of  education,  occupation,  length  of  time  of  anticipating  the  CD4  infection, level  of  most  current  CD4  as  well  as  duration  of  treatment.  Moreover,  by  encouraging  patients  to learn  more  and  exchange  information  as  well  as  provide  financial  aids  could  be  one  of  the  best solution  in  dealing  with  this  matter.  It  will  be  useful  to  service  patients  in  other  diseases  of Warinchamrab hospital.