ABSTRACT
HIV/AIDS remains one of the most serious public health problems in Thailand. This study aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and its related factors among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 259 patients at a tertiary care hospital. HRQOL was assessed using the Thai version of the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) questionnaire. Socio-demographics and clinical status were measured using a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models were used to explore associations between socio-demographic status, clinical status, and HRQL. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that employment status was strongly related to better overall physical and mental health summary scores (PHS, MHS). In addition, patients with disclosure of HIV status, aged over 50 years, and having at least a rating of good health in the nurses' opinion were the independent positive predictive factors for overall PHS. While being on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and good compliance with ART were positive predictive factors for overall MHS. Improving and strengthening quality of life among PLWHAs are important goals for HIV/AIDS services. Regular assessment of HRQL can provide potential information for intervention to improve quality of life.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/psychology , Health Status , Mental Health , Quality of Life , Tertiary Care Centers , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/drug therapy , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/psychology , Adult , Age Factors , Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Medication Adherence , Middle Aged , Socioeconomic Factors , ThailandABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of, and risk factors for, nevirapine (NVP)-associated hepatotoxicity and rash in HIV-infected Thai men and women, including pregnant women, receiving NVP-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: NVP-containing HAART was prescribed to eligible men and women enrolled in the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and MTCT-Plus programmes. All pregnant women received zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC)/NVP from >14 weeks of gestational age if their CD4 cell count was