Evaluation on the Quality of Life of Acquired Immure Deficiency Syndrome Orphans in a County of Henan Province / 中国心理卫生杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To reveal the actual living conditions and the vulnerability of the life quality of orphans with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in China,and to provide basis for appropriate relative health promotion strategies.Methods:Using gender-age 1∶ 1 matching design,96 pairs of AIDS orphans and children from ordinary families in a county of Henan Province were investigated for their living conditions and subjective quality of life with the Inventory of Subjective Life Quality.Results:(1) Compared with the control group,AIDS orphans had lower life satisfaction (45.16% vs.62.37%,P=0.019),suffered more injustice and stigma (35.48% vs.12.90%,P<0.001),had more needs to work to earn money (55.91% vs.23.66%,P<0.001) and lower probability to receive medical treatments when they were sick (36.36% vs.78.85%,P<0.001).(2) The average total score of subjective life quality in orphan group was significantly lower than that in the control group[(145.9±16.0) vs.(154.9±16.1),P<0.001].Scores of four dimensions including family life,school life,living environment and self-awareness were all significantly lower in orphans than in non-orphans which resulted in the significantly lower awareness stratum scores.(3) The average total score of subjective life quality in male orphan group was significantly lower than that in the male control group[(143.2±16.7) vs.(155.8±17.1),P<0.001].Scores of four dimensions including family life,school life,living environment and self-awareness were all significantly lower in male orphans than in male non-orphans which resulted in the significantly lower awareness stratum scores.Conclusion:AIDS orphans have more problems in lives.Their life quality is significantly affected which mainly appears as the decline of self-awareness and environmental awareness level.Long-term impacts on emotion and mental health deserve special concern.Male orphans are more vulnerable than females.