International Journal of Nursing

The Impacts of Anti-Retroviral Therapy on Quality of Life of People Living with HIV & AIDS in Nigeria’s Delta Region
Omenogor, P.K; Adejumo P.O; Orhue, N.L.

Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains a major global problem. Advances in the development and use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have made HIV clinically manageable. However, there are lingering concerns on the effects of treatment on the general quality of life of infected individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of antiretroviral therapy on the quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a purposive sampling method on 510 adults. Participants were recruited from four hospitals in Nigeria. Demographic data, quality of life attributes, and type of ART received were collated with a summarized World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life HIV instrument. Qualitative and quantitative measures were used to test the hypothesis that ART use leads to significant improvements in quality of life. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the mean scores of quality of life of respondents on treatment and those not on treatment in four of the five domains investigated. The findings demonstrated that ART use significantly improved overall quality of life for PLWHA and provides scientific underpinning for policy mechanisms aimed at promoting patient enrolment in ART treatment programmes in Nigeria’s Delta region.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijn.v6n2a12