title: Quality of life and the concept of "living well" with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Botswana, Department of Nursing Education, Gaborone, Botswana. phaladze@mopipi.ub.bw
authors.forename: Nthabiseng A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Phaladze
authors.forename: Sarie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Human
authors.forename: Sibusiso B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dlamini
authors.forename: Elsie B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Hulela
authors.forename: Innocent Mahlubi
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Hadebe
authors.forename: Nonhlanhla A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sukati
authors.forename: Lucy Nthabiseng
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Makoae
authors.forename: Naomi Mmapelo
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Seboni
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moleko
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Holzemer
mesh_terms: 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