QUALITY OF LIFE OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV: IDENTIFICATION OF THE DETERMINANTS

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Science

Background:

• HIV remains a significant global health concern, particularly in urban areas of Kazakhstan.
• Understanding factors influencing the quality of life (QL) for people living with HIV (PLH) is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key determinants of quality of life (QL) among people living with HIV (PLH) in a major Kazakhstani city.
• To analyze the relationship between socio-demographic factors, HIV status, medical activity, and QL in this population.

Main Methods:

• A three-stage study involving analysis of HIV morbidity/mortality data (2005-2014).
• A 49-question survey assessing respondent characteristics and HIV status.
• The SF-36 questionnaire was used to measure quality of life in 170 participants.

Main Results:

• Higher QL was observed in males for physical health components, while females reported higher psychological health, though differences were not statistically significant.
• Individuals with higher education and those who were married reported better QL.
• Addictive substance consumption was found to significantly decrease QL.

Conclusions:

• Socio-demographic factors like education and marital status, alongside substance use, are significant determinants of QL for people living with HIV in urban settings.
• These findings can inform targeted interventions to improve the well-being of PLH.
• Further research is needed to explore these determinants in diverse populations.