Factors influencing the quality of life in patients with HIV in Malaysia.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the socio-demographic, clinical and psychological factors influencing the quality of life (QOL) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study on 271 patients with HIV infection attending an HIV clinic in Kota Bharu, Malaysia. Participants completed the Malay version of the Functional Assessment of HIV Infection (FAHI) and Malay Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS).


RESULTS
The patients functioned satisfactorily in the physical domain. They were mostly impaired in the social domain. Those who acquired the HIV infection via a heterosexual route seemed to have a significantly lower social well-being, while those who acquired HIV via drug injection were not associated with losses in the overall QOL or any of its domains. Non-disclosure paradoxically had a greater effect on social well-being. About 38% had possible anxiety, depression or both, and these emotional disturbances were significantly associated with total FAHI and its five domains.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological and social well-beings were more affected than physical well-being in out-patients with HIV infection in Kota Bharu, Malaysia. The study suggests that the patients with HIV infection should receive better psycho-education and psychological intervention.
Hasanah
C I
CI
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Malaysia. hasanah@kb.usm.my
Zaliha
A R
AR
Mahiran
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001007:Anxiety; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult