title: Quality of life of HIV-infected persons in Croatia.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine health-related quality of life among Croatian HIV infected individuals, and to assess the impact of socio-demographic and disease-related variables on health-related quality of life. This was a crosssectional study of 111 HIV-infected adults who received care at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb, Croatia. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire for HIV brief version (WHOQOL-HIV BREF) was used to assess each patient's quality of life. Ratings of quality of life differed across age, marital status, level of education, health status and "currently ill" status. Subjects who perceived themselves as not ill and their health status as better reported better quality of life for all quality of life domains (p < 0.01). Subjects who were in relationships gave higher ratings for the social relationships domain (p < 0.01). Subjects with higher level of education gave significantly higher ratings within the independence (p < 0.05) and environment (p < 0.01) domains. Younger subjects perceived their psychological state as better (p < 0.05). The findings demonstrate a moderate degree of overall quality of life (X = 112.2; SD = 18.92) with main concerns related to social relationships. These results highlight the need for better access to psychosocial support and medical and legal services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Croatia.
authors.affiliation: Croatian Association for HIV Zagreb, Croatia. sanjaadrei@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belak Kovacević
authors.forename: Tomislav
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vurusić
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duvancić
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017523:Croatia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires