Abstract:
Background: Globally, 35.3 million people are living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2012, Sub-Saharan
Africa remains most severely affected, with nearly 1 in every 20 adults (4.9%) living with
HIV/ADIS,Ethiopia is among the countries most affected by the HIV epidemic. A large number of people
living with HIV and about 1 million HIV/AIDS orphans. HIV care is crucial for successful HIV
prevention , treatment and to provide Quality of life .HIV/AIDS is chronic disease with advances in
treatment to receive benefits of current HIV treatments, patients must be adherent to care.
Objectives: To asseess the Health Related Quality of Life and its association with self care practice
Among People Living with HIV /AIDS following ART Clinic in Jimma University Specialized Hospital,
South -West Ethiopia, 2014.
Methods: Institution based retrospective cohort study design that employed with systematic random
sampling technique was used.From 351 participants Data were collected using pre tested structured
questionnaires from March 1-30 Jimma University Specialized hospital ART clinic.The dimensions of
HRQoL were compared using internal cohort analysis, Chi-square, independent t-tests for both low and
high exposed to self care. Univariate linear regression technique was done to see the association between
the independent variables and the dependent variable. Multivariable analysis using forward stepwise
multiple leaner regressions was done to evaluate independent effect of each variable on dependant
variables. The results were summarized and presented by tables, charts and graphs.
Result: Overall; Those 36% High exposed to self care had high health related qoulity of life(HRQOL) in
domain; general health, Vitality /Energy and mental health scels; For a unit increase in perceived self care
practice index, the quality of life increased by an average of 0.33 at (p=0.001,CI=.135, .533) as compaired
to those 63% less self care exposed.As number of ART dose refilling increases by 0.65 quality of life
decreased at (p=0.001,CI=-1.012, -.283) as compaired to those refill sing dose.In the presence of co
morbid disease increases by an average of 0.32 the quality of life decreased at (p=0.006,CI=-.545, -.092)
when compaired to those has no co morbid disease. For one month increase by 0.33 in follow up duration,
quality of life increased at (p=0.04,CI=.019,.636) when compaired to less duration on follow up.
Conclusion and recommendation: Early initiation of HIV/AIDS care should focus on addressing
patient’s concerns such as; better quality of life among those;high self care practice, increase duration of
care.Low quality of life among those Increased number of dose refill, presence of co morbid desease
were found. The study recommend that clinicians caring for HIV infected persons should make an effort
to measure HRQoL as this would help identify persons in need of self care perception, psychosocial
support, thereby promoting holistic HIV care.
