ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) remain significant global health challenges addressed by countries worldwide. The advent of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality of people living with HIV (PLHIV), transforming HIV/AIDS from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic disease. However, the increasing number of elderly individuals with HIV who experience early frailty syndrome presents new challenges and potential for diminished quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life and to identify its significant predictors in PLHIV patients who have received ARV therapy in Banda Aceh, a Muslim-majority region in Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on all PLHIV who received ARV therapy at the voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) polyclinic at Dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia between January and February 2023. The WHOQOL-HIV BREF instrument, a multi-dimensional tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), was used to assess the quality of life of the PLHIV, and potential predictors were assessed. The Chi-squared test was used to determine the predictors associated with the quality of patient's lives. Our data indicated that the majority of PLHIV were male (88%), 26-35 years old (78%), employed (92%), and unmarried (54%). Poor quality of life was dominant for the physical health (100%) and social relationships (76%) domains. In contrast, good quality of life was observed in aspects of independence, psychology, and spirituality, all reporting 100% results. Significant associations were found between married status (p=0.004) and medication adherence (p<0.001) with higher quality of life among PLHIV. In conclusion, married PLHIVs that received support from their partners regarding adherence to therapy exhibited a better quality of life. These results underscore the significance of sustained support systems and adherence strategies to enhance PLHIV's quality of life.
ABSTRACT
From January 1987 to December 1989 precipitation was collected in an open field in a forested area of the Western Prealps. The site faces the intensely industrialized area of the Po Valley. In a Norway spruce plantation, next to the open field sampler, throughfall was collected from January 1987 to August 1989 for a period of 32 months. In the common sampling period median pH values of the open field precipitation and throughfall were 4.28 and 4.19 respectively. Open field precipitation has yearly deposition rates of acidity, Ca, S, and N of 0.81, 9.82, 24.83 and 32.81 kg/ha(-1) respectively. The throughfall showed significant increases in the deposition rates for Ca, Mg, K, N and S, due to abundant dry deposition and, probably, to nutrient leaching contributed by the canopies of the spruce. On the basis of available data, an initial approach to atmosphere-canopy interaction was made.
ABSTRACT
The Authors report on the data obtained and their evaluation by means of analysis of seven variables and four indices, in 49 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension and in 10 control patients. Haemodynamic analysis offers the possibility of identifying the dynamic transition stages of a response to stress showing varying degrees of compensation and establishing categories of patients on the basis of cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in relation to liver damage. The Authors, according to Siegel studies, retain that this is a valid method which enables us to obtain useful information on the haemodynamic status of the cirrhotic patient with portal hypertension.