Original scientific paper
Quality of Life of HIV-Infected Persons in Croatia
Sanja Belak Kovačević
Tomislav Vurušić
Kristina Duvančić
Maja Maček
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine health-related quality of life among Croatian HIV infected individuals, and to
assess the impact of socio-demographic and disease-related variables on health-related quality of life. This was a crosssectional
study of 111 HIV-infected adults who received care at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb,
Croatia. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire for HIV brief version (WHOQOL-HIV BREF)
was used to assess each patient’s quality of life. Ratings of quality of life differed across age, marital status, level of education,
health status and »currently ill« status. Subjects who perceived themselves as not ill and their health status as
better reported better quality of life for all quality of life domains (p<0.01). Subjects who were in relationships gave
higher ratings for the social relationships domain (p<0.01). Subjects with higher level of education gave significantly
higher ratings within the independence (p<0.05) and environment (p<0.01) domains. Younger subjects perceived their
psychological state as better (p<0.05). The findings demonstrate a moderate degree of overall quality of life (X=112.2;
SD= 18.92) with main concerns related to social relationships. These results highlight the need for better access to
psychosocial support and medical and legal services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Croatia.
Keywords
quality of life; HIV; Croatia; WHOQOL-HIV BREF
Hrčak ID:
27697
URI
Publication date:
25.4.2006.
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