ŽIV užsikrėtusių asmenų gyvenimo kokybę ir suvokiamą ŽIV stigmą lemiantys veiksniai
LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Gyvenimo kokybė; ŽIV (AIDS); ŽIV (AIDS); HIV infected; HIV infected persons; HIV stigma; Quality of Life.
ENThe aim – to evaluate socio-demographic and health factors determining the quality of life (QoL) and perceived stigma of people living with HIV. Methods. Using targeted sampling method 217 HIV infected respondents receiving health care, psycho-social and legal services in association of HIV affected women and their families “Demetra” were interviewed during 2012-2013. Questionnaire consisted from questions about demographics, social, psychological and health care. QoL was measured using Ferrans and Powers (1985) QoL Index, HIV stigma with B. Berger (2001) HIV stigma scale. Participation was voluntary and confidential, with informed consent. Data analysed using Descriptive statistics, Independent-samples and Paired-samples T Tests also of Dispersive and Correlation analyses. Results. The study showed that respondents have had very low QoL. The biggest HIV stigma was found about concerns of status disclosure and public attitudes that confirmed that HIV-positive feared of public condemnation. Correlation analysis proved that HIV stigma and QoL have had weakly indirect connection. It was found that better QoL and lower HIV stigma were predicted by large support network, good relations with family, satisfactory physical health and correct information about HIV infection and treatment. Sufficient awareness about support organizations, the ability positively evaluate and benefit from peer support and health care services associated with high QoL. Among the factors undermining QoL was drug abuse, unemployment, low income, low education and imprisonment. Conclusions. The data confirmed that the service provision for HIV-infected individuals with task to increase support network, improve relations with family, integrate into the health care system, was important for the improvement of QoL and reducing HIV stigma.Improvement of these constructs will empower HIV-infected person for regular visits to the doctor, for more attention to HIV treatment and care, which as other chronic diseases will last for the rest of life. [From the publication]
