The Proportion of Respondents Having High Score and Low

Score of HQoL

42.7
Spiritual Domain 57.3

47.6
Environmental Domain 52.4

39.6
Social Domain 60.4

40.2
Level of Independent
59.8

43.9
Psychological Domain 56.1

37.8
Physical Domain 62.2

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Low Score High Score

Figure 1: Graph of Proportion of Respondents Having High Score and Low Score of HQoL for
Each Domain

Based on Figure 1, the amount of respondents that scored high for all domains of health-related
quality of life questionnaire is higher than those who are categorized as having low score. The
highest percentage of high score is for physical domain (62.2%), followed by social domain
(60.4%), level of independence (59.8%), spiritual domain (57.3%), psychological domain
(56.1%) and environmental domain (52.4%).
 HQoL Score
Characteristic Total (%) p-value
Low (%) High (%)
GENDER        
Male 53(32.3) 84(51.2) 137(83.5)
0.600
Female 9(5.5) 18(11.0) 27(16.5)
MARITAL STATUS        
Single 38(23.2) 64(39.0) 102(62.2)
Married 14(8.5) 25(15.2) 39(23.8)
Living with partner 4(2.4) 3(1.8) 7(4.3) 0.869
Separated 2(1.2) 3(1.8) 5(3.0)
Divorced 4(2.4) 7(4.3) 11(6.7)
HIV SEROSTATUS
Asymptomatic 45(27.4) 81(49.4) 126(76.8)
Symptomatic 15(9.1) 13(7.9) 28(17.1) 0.344
 AIDS converted 2(1.2) 8(4.9) 10(6.1)
HEALTH STATUS
Neither good nor bad 13(7.9) 13(7.9) 22(13.4)
Good 41(25.0) 64(39.0) 105(64.0) 0.015*
Very good 8(4.9) 29(17.7) 37(22.6)
EDUCATIONAL STATUS        
None at all 2(1.2) 2(1.2) 4(2.4)
Primary school 4(2.4) 6(3.7) 10(6.1)
0.344
Secondary school 32(19.5) 41(25.0) 73(44.5)
University 24(14.6) 53(32.3) 77(47.0)
METHOD OF INFECTION
Sex with men 33(35.5) 60(64.5) 93(56.7)
Sex with women 13(7.9) 28(17.1) 41(25.0)
Drug injection 7(4.3) 4(2.4) 11(6.7) 0.140
Blood products 3(1.8) 0 3(1.8)
Others 6(3.7) 10(6.1) 16(9.8)
Table 3.1: The Association of Physical Health Domain with Socio-demographic Variables

A Chi square test is run to find association between socio-demographic variables with HQoL
domains. Based on Chi square test, only health status is associated with physical health domain
(p=0.015).

HQoL Score
Characteristic Total (%) p-value
Low (%) High (%)
GENDER        
Male 62(37.8) 75(45.7) 137(83.5)
0.432
Female 10(6.1) 17(10.4) 27(16.5)
MARITAL STATUS        
Single 45(23.2) 57(39.0) 102(62.2)
Married 14(8.5) 25(15.2) 39(23.8)
Living with partner 4(2.4) 3(1.8) 7(4.3) 1.000
Separated 3(1.8) 2(1.2) 5(3.0)
Divorced 6(3.7) 5(3.0) 11(6.7)
HIV SEROSTATUS
Asymptomatic 50(30.5) 76(46.3) 126(76.8)
Symptomatic 15(9.1) 13(7.9) 28(17.1)
0.062
AIDS converted 2(1.2) 8(4.9) 10(6.1)
HEALTH STATUS
 Neither good nor bad 16(22.2) 6(6.5) 22(13.4)
Good 47(28.7) 58(35.4) 105(64.0) 0.001*
Very good 9(5.5) 28(17.1) 37(22.6)
EDUCATIONAL STATUS        
None at all 2(1.2) 2(1.2) 4(2.4)
Primary school 5(3.0) 5(3.0) 10(6.1)
Secondary school 31(18.9) 42(25.6) 73(44.5) 1.000
University 34(20.7) 43(26.2) 77(47.0)
METHOD OF INFECTION
Sex with men 43(26.2) 50(30.5) 93(56.7)
Sex with women 16(22.2) 25(27.2) 41(25.0)
Drug injection 4(2.4) 7(4.3) 11(6.7)
0.739
Blood products 3(1.8) 0 3(1.8)
Others 6(3.7) 10(6.1) 16(9.8)
Table 3.2: The Association of Psychological Health Domain with Socio-demographic Variables

Based on Chi square test, only health status is associated with psychological domain (p=0.001).

HQoL Score
Characteristic Total (%) p-value
Low (%) High (%)
GENDER        
Male 56(34.1) 81(49.4) 137(83.5)
0.710
Female 10(6.1) 17(10.4) 27(16.5)
MARITAL STATUS        
Single 39(23.8) 63 (38.4) 102(62.2)
Married 13(7.9) 26(15.9) 39(23.8)
Living with partner 6(3.7) 1(0.6) 7(4.3) 0.516
Separated 1(0.6) 4(2.4) 5(3.0)
Divorced 7(4.3) 4(2.4) 11(6.7)
HIV SEROSTATUS
Asymptomatic 53(32.3) 73(44.5) 126(76.8)
Symptomatic 10(6.1) 18(11.0) 28(17.1)
0.453
AIDS converted 3(1.8) 7(4.3) 10(6.1)
HEALTH STATUS
Neither good nor bad 15(9.1) 7(4.3) 22(13.4)
Good 48(29.3) 57(34.8) 105(64.0) 0.000*
 Very good 3(1.8) 34(20.7) 37(22.6)
EDUCATIONAL STATUS        
None at all 2(1.2) 2(1.2) 4(2.4)
Primary school 7(4.3) 3(1.8) 10(6.1)
Secondary school 30(18.3) 43(26.2) 73(44.5) 0.264
University 27(16.5)  50(30.5) 77(47.0)
METHOD OF INFECTION
Sex with men 33(20.1) 60(36.6) 60(36.6)
Sex with women 17(10.4) 24(14.6) 41(25.0)
Drug injection 6(3.7) 5(3.0) 11(6.7) 0.219
Blood products 3(1.8) 0 3(1.8)
Others 7(4.3) 9(5.5) 16(9.8)
Table 3.3: The Association of Level of Independence Domain with Socio-demographic Variables

Based on Chi square test, only health status is associated with level of independence domain
(p=0.000).

HQoL Score
Characteristic Total (%) p-value
Low (%) High (%)
GENDER        
Male 55(33.5) 82(50.0) 137(83.5)
0.763
Female 10(6.1) 17(10.4) 27(16.5)
MARITAL STATUS        
Single 40(24.4) 62 (37.8) 102(62.2)
Married 13(7.9) 26(15.9) 39(23.8)
Living with partner 3(1.8) 4(2.4) 7(4.3) 1.000
Separated 2(1.2) 3(1.8) 5(3.0)
Divorced 7(4.3) 4(2.4) 11(6.7)
HIV SEROSTATUS
Asymptomatic 49(29.9) 77(47.0) 126(76.8)
Symptomatic 13(7.9) 15(9.1) 28(17.1)
0.850
AIDS converted 3(1.8) 7(4.3) 10(6.1)
HEALTH STATUS
Neither good nor bad 9(5.5) 13(7.9) 22(13.4)
Good 49(29.9) 56(34.1) 105(64.0)
0.009*
Very good 7(4.3) 30(18.3) 37(22.6)
EDUCATIONAL STATUS        
 None at all 3(1.8) 1(0.6) 4(2.4)
Primary school 8(4.9) 2(1.2) 10(6.1)
Secondary school 28(17.1) 45(27.4) 73(44.5) 0.155
University 26(15.9) 51(31.1) 77(47.0)
METHOD OF INFECTION
Sex with men 28(17.1) 65(39.6) 60(36.6)
Sex with women 20(12.2) 21(12.8) 41(25.0)
0.014*
Drug injection 7(4.3) 4(2.4) 11(6.7)
Blood products 2(1.2) 1(0.6) 3(1.8)
Others 8(4.9) 8(4.9) 16(9.8)
Table 3.4: The Association of Social Domain with Socio-demographic Variables

Based on Table 3.4, health status (p=0.009) and method of infection (p=0.014) are both
significantly associated with social relation domain.

HQoL Score
Characteristic Total (%) p-value
Low (%) High (%)
GENDER        
Male 67(40.9) 70(42.7) 137(83.5)
0.438
Female 11(6.7) 16(9.8) 27(16.5)
MARITAL STATUS        
Single 50(30.5) 52 (31.7) 102(62.2)
Married 15(9.1) 24(14.6) 39(23.8)
Living with partner 5(3.0) 2(1.2) 7(4.3) 0.747
Separated 2(1.2) 3(1.8) 5(3.0)
Divorced 6(3.7) 5(3.0) 11(6.7)
HIV SEROSTATUS
Asymptomatic 60(36.6) 66(40.2) 126(76.8)
Symptomatic 15(9.1) 13(7.9) 28(17.1)
1.000
AIDS converted 3(1.8) 7(4.3) 10(6.1)
HEALTH STATUS
Neither good nor bad 12(7.3) 10(6.1) 22(13.4)
Good 59(36.0) 46(28.0) 105(64.0)
0.000*
Very good 7(4.3) 30(18.3) 37(22.6)
EDUCATIONAL STATUS        
None at all 2(1.2) 2(1.2) 4(2.4)
 Primary school 7(4.3) 3(1.8) 10(6.1)
Secondary school 39(23.8) 34(20.7) 73(44.5) 0.043*
University 30(18.3) 47(28.7) 77(47.0)
METHOD OF INFECTION
Sex with men 39(23.8) 54(32.9) 60(36.6)
Sex with women 24(14.6) 17(10.4) 41(25.0)
Drug injection 7(4.3) 4(2.4) 11(6.7)
0.199
Blood products 2(1.2) 1(0.6) 3(1.8)
Others 6(3.7) 10(6.1) 16(9.8)
Table 3.5: The Association of Environmental Domain with Socio-demographic Variables

Based on Chi square test, health status (p=0.000) and educational status (p=0.043) are associated
with environmental domain.

HQoL Score
Characteristic Total (%) p-value
Low (%) High (%)
GENDER        
Male 60(36.6) 77(47.0) 137(83.5)
0.516
Female 10(6.1) 17(10.4) 27(16.5)
MARITAL STATUS        
Single 46(28.0) 56 (34.1) 102(62.2)
Married 11(6.7) 28(17.1) 39(23.8)
Living with partner 6(3.7) 1(0.6) 7(4.3) 0.515
Separated 1(0.6) 4(2.4) 5(3.0)
Divorced 6(3.7) 5(3.0) 11(6.7)
HIV SEROSTATUS
Asymptomatic 49(29.9) 77(47.0) 126(76.8)
Symptomatic 16(9.8) 12(7.3) 28(17.1)
0.092
AIDS converted 5(3.0) 5(3.0) 10(6.1)
HEALTH STATUS
Neither good nor bad 13(7.9) 9(5.5) 22(13.4)
Good 45(27.4) 60(36.6) 105(64.0)
0.135
Very good 12(7.3) 25(15.2) 37(22.6)
EDUCATIONAL STATUS        
None at all 2(1.2) 2(1.2) 4(2.4)
0.636
Primary school 4(2.4) 6(3.7) 10(6.1)
Secondary school 33(20.1) 40(24.4) 73(44.5)
 University 31(18.9) 46(28.0) 77(47.0)
METHOD OF INFECTION
Sex with men 42(25.6) 51(31.1) 60(36.6)
Sex with women 18(11.0) 23(14.0) 41(25.0)
Drug injection 3(1.8) 8(4.9) 11(6.7)
0.514
Blood products 2(1.2) 1(0.6) 3(1.8)
Others 5(3.0) 11(6.7) 16(9.8)
Table 3.6: The Association of Spiritual Domain with Socio-demographic Variables

Based on Chi square test, there is no association between socio-demographic variables with
spiritual health domain.

In summary, health status are associated with most of the domains such as physical health,
psychological domain, level of independence, social relation and environmental domain.
Meanwhile, educational status is found to be associated with environmental domain and method
of infection is associated with social relation domain. However, based on Chi square test, there is
no association between socio-demographic variables with spiritual health domain. In addition,
there is no significant association between gender, marital status as well as HIV serostatus with
all domains.

Association between Domains with Socio-demographic Variables

In our study, health status are associated with most of the domains such as physical
health, psychological domain, level of independence, social relation and environmental domain
(P < 0.05). This finding is similar with the findings from a hospital university in Ethiopia in 2013
in which health status is associated with good score for physical health domain 1. This is because
patient’s current health is a very important indicator in determining HIV patient’s quality of life.
Being asymptomatic as well as patients with few symptoms of HIV can definitely lead to a more
meaningful and better quality of life compared to those patients who are sick and burdened with
physical symptoms of the disease and eventually developed into AIDS. In contrast, a study at a
university referral hospital in Ethiopia in 2017 found no significant association between all
domains with health status 2.
 Based on the findings of our study, educational status is associated with environmental
domain. This finding is in line with the findings from a study in northwest Ethiopia where
educated HIV patients had higher scores for environmental domain as well 3. This is because
educated HIV patients may have better knowledge in order to adapt and have a better
environment in order to improve their quality of life despite their disease. Besides that, our study
showed that method of infection is associated with social relation domain. However, there is lack
of studies that show the significant association between methods of infection with social domain.

Our study’s findings also showed that there is no significant association between genders
with all of the domains. Previous studies in three hospitals and Mekele, Ethiopia showed that
gender is not associated with social domain, therefore this finding is similar with our finding 4 5.
However, a study in Ethiopia showed that marital status and HIV serostatus are significantly
associated with some of the domains 2. In addition, previous studies in both countries Thailand
and Vietnam respectively showed that gender is associated with many domains in which women
scored lower in these domains compared to men. This is because women are probably stressed
by the burden in taking care of both their husbands and children 6 7
. However, in contrast,
previous studies in India and showed that women had better scores in all domains compared to
men 8 9.

Based on the findings of our study, there is no association between HIV serostatus with
all of the domains of HQoL. However, our finding is contrasted with findings based on a study
conducted in Dhaka in which asymptotic patients scored higher in both physical health domain
and level of independence domain, indicating that they enjoyed a better quality of life 10. Based
on a study in India, patients with symptoms of HIV had lower domain scores for physical,
psychological and level of independence and environmental domains 11. Thus, this finding is not
in line with our finding.

In addition, marital status is not significantly associated with any of HQol domains based
on the findings of this study. In contrast, a study in Netherlands showed that married patients
scored lower scores on HQoL due to fear and guilt of transmitting HIV virus to their spouses 12.
In addition, our finding is not in line with the finding based on a study in northwest Ethiopia in
which married patients had higher scores since they received both physical and emotional
support from their partners which lead to a better quality of life 3.