ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the quality of life and related social support among people living with HIV/AIDS with related factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>331 people living with HIV/AIDS and 148 of their family members were selected using a typical sampling method. Questionnaires on general conditions, tables on history of infection, generic quality of life inventory-74 (GQOLI-74) and social support scale (SSS) were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Data from one-way analysis suggested that people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members with the different sexs, different villages and different cultural backgrounds had differences in GQOLI-74 scores (P < 0.05) while people living with HIV/AIDS with the different villages had differences in SSS scores (P < 0.05). Results from Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that being elderly and negative life events were negatively associated with social support (P < 0.05), while factors as more advanced educational background, harmonious neighborhood relationship and having bother pouring nature were the predictive factors (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Many factors might affect dimensions of quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members in rural areas of northern Anhui. Community care and social support of HIV/AIDS should still be greatly enhanced in the countryside of China. A community care mode based on family and neighborhood was expected to be developed.</p>