School of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Faculty of Health Science, University of Muhammadiyah, Malang, Indonesia.
BMC Public Health. 2021 Jun 30;21(1):1272. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-11321-7.
As the number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLHIV) in Indonesia has increased in recent years, more efforts have been expended to improve their health status. However, in a country where PLHIV are very much stigmatized, there has been little research concerning their quality of life (QoL). Hence, this study aimed to assess the QoL among PLHIV and its associated factors. Findings of this research can contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of PLHIV in Indonesia.
A cross-sectional survey with convenience sampling was conducted from June to September 2018, at four healthcare centers in Malang, Indonesia. PLHIV, aged 18 years or over, were asked if they would like to participate in this study when they came to a health center to receive services. To protect confidentiality, the healthcare staff at the clinics assisted with recruitment and face-to-face interviews with structured questionnaires. Measurements included sociodemographic, medication-related, social support, HIV-stigma, and QoL variables.
In total, 634 PLHIV agreed to participate in this study. A multivariate linear regression analysis showed that being older, having a job, living in an urban area, having better access to healthcare services, adhering to medication, being in an antiretroviral therapy (ART) program for more than 1 year, experiencing a lower level of stigma, and receiving more social support were associated with a better QoL. The regression model had an adjusted R of 0.21.
Findings from this research have significant policy implications. Policies focused on reducing social stigma and promoting medication adherence will likely have a positive impact on the QoL of PLHIV. Increasing public awareness and acceptance of PLHIV in Indonesia remains challenging, but would likely have significant impacts. Furthermore, interventions should also focus on reducing disparities in QoL between PLHIV living in rural areas and those in urban areas.
近年来，印度尼西亚的艾滋病毒感染者（PLHIV）人数不断增加，为改善他们的健康状况做出了更多努力。然而，在一个对 PLHIV 非常污名化的国家，很少有研究关注他们的生活质量（QoL）。因此，本研究旨在评估 PLHIV 的生活质量及其相关因素。这项研究的结果有助于改善印度尼西亚 PLHIV 的健康和福祉。
本研究采用横断面调查，于 2018 年 6 月至 9 月在印度尼西亚万隆的四家医疗保健中心进行，采用便利抽样法。当 PLHIV 到医疗中心接受服务时，询问他们是否愿意参加这项研究。为了保护隐私，诊所的医护人员协助招募并进行面对面的问卷调查。测量包括社会人口统计学、药物相关、社会支持、HIV 污名和生活质量变量。
共有 634 名 PLHIV 同意参加这项研究。多元线性回归分析表明，年龄较大、有工作、居住在城市地区、更好地获得医疗服务、坚持服药、接受抗逆转录病毒治疗（ART）方案超过 1 年、受污名化程度较低、获得更多社会支持与生活质量较好相关。回归模型的调整 R 为 0.21。
本研究的结果具有重要的政策意义。集中精力减少社会污名和促进药物依从性的政策可能会对 PLHIV 的生活质量产生积极影响。在印度尼西亚，提高公众对 PLHIV 的认识和接受程度仍然具有挑战性，但可能会产生重大影响。此外，干预措施还应关注减少生活在农村地区和城市地区的 PLHIV 之间生活质量的差异。
