Health-related quality of life of patients on antiretroviral treatment in Botswana: A cross-sectional study.

Objective:: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) affords longevity to patients infected with the human immune deficiency virus (HIV). Since little is known about the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of persons who have been on ART for at least five years the present study investigated the HRQoL of these patients in Botswana. Method:: Medical records structured interviews and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–BREF (WHOQoL–HIV–BREF) instrument were employed to obtain information from 456 respondents. Results:: Univariate and multivariate regression analyses showed that respondents highest scores were in the "physical" domain (mean = 15.8 SD = 3.5) while the lowest scores were in the "environment" domain (mean = 12.9 SD = 2.5). Thus the physical domain had the greatest impact on patients overall HRQoL. Self-education about HIV-related issues was significantly correlated with all domains of HRQoL scores: physical (? = –2.32 CI 95% = –3.02 –1.61); psychological (? = –2.26 CI 95% = –2.87 –1.65); independence (? = –1.81 CI 95% = –2.54 –1.06); social relationships (? = –1.40 CI 95% = –2.13 –0.67); environment (? = –1.58 CI 95% = –2.13 –1.04); and spirituality (? = –1.70 CI 95% = –82.27 –1.13). Significance of results:: HRQoL assessments can identify and address patients needs and it is important that guidelines be developed that will yield improved care to ART patients in Botswana.