title: Application of the WHOQOL-HIV-BREF Questionnaire in HIV-Infected Thai Patients: Reliability and Validity of the Instrument.
abstract: Given the prolonged survival of HIV-infected individuals as a result of widespread availability of treatment, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) becomes a relevant endpoint for assessing the impacts of HIV interventions. We examined the reliability and validity of the World Health Organization Quality of Life in HIV-infected Persons instrument (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF) using data from 329 HIV-infected Thai patients who received outpatient care at seven public hospitals. Our findings revealed acceptable reliability, construct validity, and convergent validity of the WHOQOL-HIV-BREF. No significant difference in HRQOL was found between groups with different CD4+ T cell counts. Conversely, the subgroup with a history of opportunistic infection appeared to have a higher HRQOL compared to those in the latency stage. Challenges to the interpretation of the questions related to culture are discussed. In conclusion, the WHOQOL-HIV-BREF can be added to the limited list of instruments for comprehensive outcome evaluation of HIV interventions in Thailand.
authors.forename: Natthani
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Meemon
authors.forename: Seung Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Paek
authors.forename: Daraphak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yenchai
authors.forename: Thomas T H
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Wan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013785:Thailand; D014944:World Health Organization; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV-infected patients; Thailand; WHOQOL-HIV-BREF; health-related quality of life