Development of a culturally appropriate health-related quality of life measure for human immunodeficiency virus-infected children in Thailand.
OBJECTIVE
Develop a reliable and valid self-report health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children in Thailand.


METHODS
The Thai Quality of Life for HIV-infected Children instrument, the ThQLHC (an HRQOL measure that uses the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory as a generic core and a 17-item HIV-targeted scale), was developed and administered cross-sectionally to 292 HIV-infected children in Thailand. The disease-targeted scale included HIV-related symptoms, ability to adhere with their treatment regimens and self-image. The internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α) and construct validity of the ThQLHC scales were then evaluated.


RESULTS
Internal consistency reliability coefficients ranged from 0.57 to 0.82, with four of five scales reaching the minimal acceptable level (>0.70). Significant associations were found between poor HRQOL and poor self-rated disease severity, care giver's rated overall quality of life, cluster of differentiation (CD) 4 percent and plasma HIV ribonucleic acid level.


CONCLUSIONS
Reliable and valid disease-targeted HRQOL measures for HIV-infected children are essential in the assessment of therapeutic effectiveness. The findings of this cross-sectional survey provide support for the reliability and validity of the ThQLHC as an HRQOL outcome measure for HIV-infected Thai children.
Punpanich
Warunee
W
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Rangsit Medical College, Bangkok, Thailand. warunee@vandepitte.eu
Hays
Ron D
RD
Detels
Roger
R
Chokephaibulkit
Kulkanya
K
Chantbuddhiwet
Umaporn
U
Leowsrisook
Pimsiri
P
Prasitsuebsai
Wasana
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013785:Thailand