Abstract

Background: The number of HIV/AIDS patients is increasing worldwide. Development of various tests and antiretroviral therapy has increased the survival of these patients, but their quality of life still remains a major global concern.

Objectives: This was a cross-sectional study to evaluate the health-related quality of life of patients attending link ART centers in Haryana, in relation to their age and marital status.

Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done on 502 patients attending the link ART centers at Ambala, Hisar and Bhiwani, after approval of Institutional Ethics Committee. Quality of life was assessed using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire during the period of January 2013 to December 2013. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21.

Results: Mean scores of physical domain (53.00 ± 8.023) were maximum for younger patients, i.e., 15–24 years age group, while psychological (56.33 ± 5.499) and social domain scores (68.67 ± 10.567) were highest in 55–64 years age group. Environmental domain scores (65.50 ± 10.014) were highest in 65–74 years age group patients. As per marital status, mean scores of physical (54.75 ± 11.275), social (63.03 ± 18.668), and environmental domains (68.39 ± 11.083) were maximum for those who were unmarried, while mean scores of psychological domain (50.62 ± 11.995) were maximum for married patients.

Conclusions: Younger age group patients showed better physical domain scores, while psychological, social, and environmental domain scores were better in older patients. Married patients showed better psychological domain scores, while physical, social, and environmental domain scores were better in unmarried patients.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, quality of life, age, marital status