1.A cross-sectional study on the biopsychosocial factors influencing quality of life and adherence to treatment of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the National Capital Region
Marie Kathleen R. Uy-Huang Chih Chang ; Ernesto Miguel M. Valdez III ; Erika R. Valeroso ; Rachel Anne T. Valiente ; Rhoumel Rizza Salvador P. Yadao ; Sabri-na S. Yang ; Christian F. Yap II ; Ruellen May S. Ymana ; Pamela Joanne C. Yu ; Tiffany Lorraine E. Yu ; Joaquin S. Zotomayor ; Marla M. Zuñ ; iga ; Ramon Jason M. Javier
Health Sciences Journal 2017;6(1):7-14
Introduction:
This study investigated the association of selected biopsychosocial factors (i.e., CD4
cell count, self-stigma, and social stigma) with the quality of life and adherence to treatment of people
living with HIV in the National Capital Region.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was conducted to document the health status and behavior
of respondents affiliated with a clinic in Quezon City. Participants answered an online questionnaire
containing the Berger HIV Stigma Scale, WHO-QOL for HIV, and HIV Treatment Adherence SelfEfficacy Scale. Bivariate analyses and prevalence risk ratios were used to determine the association
of selected biopsychosocial factors with quality of life and adherence to treatment.
Results:
One hundred respondents were analyzed, of which 42% had CD4 cell counts < 350 cells/mm3,
43% had high self-stigma and 36% had high social stigma while 11% had poor QOL and 7% had poor
ATT. There was no significant association of CD4 cell count, self-stigma and social stigma with
quality of life and with adherence to treatment.
Conclusion
A weak association was noted between poor QOL and low CD4 cell counts and among those
who felt higher social stigma, but the relationships were not significant. The association between
poor ATT and the selected biopsychosocial factors was not significant.
CD4 Lymphocyte Count
;
Social Stigma
;
Quality of Life