title: Gender Differences and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Quality of Life Among ART Initiators in Oromia, Ethiopia.
abstract: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important outcome to assess among persons living with HIV/AIDS, but few studies have been conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined HRQoL among 1180 ART-initiating adults from six clinics in Ethiopia in 2012-2013, and compared the correlates of two subscale scores between women and men. Women scored significantly higher than men on both overall function (8.4 points higher) and life satisfaction (6.3 points higher). In multivariable models, psychological distress, low CD4+ count, unemployment, and food insecurity were associated with lower quality of life scores among women and men. Men whose last sexual encounter occurred 3 months to 1 year from the interview date had lower overall function and life satisfaction scores. Men between the ages of 30-39 had lower overall function scores. Protestant women and women in the low-middle social support category had lower life satisfaction scores. Assessment of HRQoL over time will help inform HIV care and treatment practices to ensure favorable patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: ICAP-Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA. qv2101@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Quynh T
authors.initials: QT
authors.lastname: Vo
authors.affiliation: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the NYS Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA.|Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Susie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, City University of New York School of Public Health, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nash
authors.affiliation: ICAP-Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Wafaa M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: El-Sadr
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, City University of New York School of Public Health, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Olga A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Tymejczyk
authors.affiliation: ICAP-Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Tsigereda
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gadisa
authors.affiliation: ICAP-Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Zenebe
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Melaku
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, City University of New York School of Public Health, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.affiliation: HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the NYS Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Remien
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Batya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping
keywords: ART initiation; Ethiopia; Gender differences; Psychosocial factors or variables; Quality of life