Quality of life and the concept of "living well" with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To increase understanding of the meaning of quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS in four countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland.


METHODS
Using a cross-sectional design and convenience sample, we administered a survey and collected data on demographic characteristics, measures of severity of illness, and perceptions of quality of life. The purposefully selected sample (N=743) consisted of community-based people living with HIV/AIDS in 2002. Based on the Wilson and Cleary framework for organizing variables related to quality of life, a hierarchical multiple regression was conducted with quality of life as the dependent variable.


RESULTS
The sample of 743 persons was 61.2% female with a mean age of 34 years. Approximately 62 % of the sample reported having received an AIDS diagnosis. Ten predictor variables explained 53.2 % of the variance in life satisfaction. Those participants with higher life satisfaction scores were less educated, had worries about disclosure and finances, did not have an AIDS diagnosis or other comorbid conditions, had lower symptom intensity, had greater functioning, and had fewer health worries. None of these participants was taking antiretroviral medications at the time of this study.


CONCLUSIONS
Several dimensions of the Wilson and Cleary model of quality of life were significantly related to life satisfaction for people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Quality of life for this sample was primarily defined as overall functional ability and control over symptom intensity. These findings are similar to studies in developed countries that have shown the significant relationships among functional abilities, symptom control, and perceived quality of life. As antiretroviral medications become more available in these areas, community members and care providers can help clients realize the possibility of living well with HIV/AIDS, and can work with clients to improve functional ability and control symptom intensity to make living well a reality.
Phaladze
Nthabiseng A
NA
University of Botswana, Department of Nursing Education, Gaborone, Botswana. phaladze@mopipi.ub.bw
Human
Sarie
S
Dlamini
Sibusiso B
SB
Hulela
Elsie B
EB
Hadebe
Innocent Mahlubi
IM
Sukati
Nonhlanhla A
NA
Makoae
Lucy Nthabiseng
LN
Seboni
Naomi Mmapelo
NM
Moleko
Mary
M
Holzemer
William L
WL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001902:Botswana / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D013541:Eswatini / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007927:Lesotho / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires