Authors : Mofolorunsho C. Kehinde, Fatiregun A. Akinola and Osagbemi K. Gordon
Abstract: The study to determine the socio-economic factors influencing the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS was carried out across the three zones of Kogi State in Nigeria. The sample included 252 PLWHA from five health care centres recruited through treatment support specialist, themselves PLWHA. The WHOQOL-HIV bref was used to assess each study respondents. Information on their socio-demographic characteristics was also collected. Of the 252 respondents, 178 (70%) were in the age group 18-35 years, 158 (62.7%) were females, 98 (38.9%) had secondary school education and 126 (58.3%) had no monthly income. Upon analysis using the one way analysis of variance, four variables which included occupation, income, education and discrimination showed significant association in relation to at least three of the six quality of life domains. Higher educational levels and income were associated with higher score for quality of life on the physical health, psychological health, level of independence and spirituality/religion/personal beliefs domains while those who reported not been discriminated scored higher in all domains. Discrimination appeared to have a greater influence on quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. The implication of this study is hinged on the fact that the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS as important as it is could be influenced by these factors which could be appropriated to the advantage of improving the quality of life of PLWHA in Nigeria.
Mofolorunsho C. Kehinde, Fatiregun A. Akinola and Osagbemi K. Gordon, 2013. Socio-Economic Factors Influencing the Quality of Life of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kogi State, Nigeria. International Journal of Tropical Medicine, 8: 6-10.