Health-related quality of life pattern and correlates: cross-sectional assessment of people living with HIV in South Carolina.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its correlates among 386 people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving care at a large immunology center in South Carolina, USA. This study used the WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL-HIV BREF) scale to measure HRQoL across six domains: physical, psychological, independence, social, environmental, and spiritual. The study found that mean HRQoL scores were statistically significantly higher in males in the social domain. PLWH with higher levels of resilience reported higher scores on the physical, psychological, independence, and social domains of HRQoL. In addition, coping, internalized stigma, social support, and support for ART adherence were all positively associated with the overall HRQoL, although the findings differed slightly for each of the six domains. Our findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to patient well-being and the need to integrate a multidimensional perspective in treating and caring for PLWH.