Relationship between HIV Status Disclosure and Quality of Life among People Living with HIV: A Study at Aregbesola Primary Health Care Centre, Lagos State
Keywords:
HIV-infected individuals, quality of life, PLWHIV, HIV/AIDS, health problemAbstract
This study utilized a facility-based cross-sectional survey design involving 288 HIV-infected individuals attending the Care and Treatment Clinic at Aregbesola Primary Health Care Center in Lagos State. A structured questionnaire adapted from the WHOQOL-HIV BREF instrument measured respondents' overall perception of QoL and health. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, disclosure patterns, and perceived social support. Statistical analyses, including descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 25, were performed to determine the relationship between HIV status disclosure and various QoL indicators. Among the 288 participants, 82.6% disclosed their HIV status, predominantly to their nuclear families. The findings revealed no significant association between HIV status disclosure and overall quality of life, although the participants reported varied mean scores across different QoL domains, with the environmental domain scoring the highest and the social domain the lowest. This study highlights the complex interplay between HIV status disclosure and quality of life among PLWHIV in Alimosho of Lagos State. Despite high rates of disclosure, the lack of a significant association with QoL underscores the need for targeted interventions to reduce stigma and enhance support systems.
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