Health-related quality of life of people living with HIV in a Malaysian state hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION

Assessing health-related quality of life (HRQOL) promotes understanding well-being of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study aims to determine factors influencing HRQOL.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire among PLHIV receiving treatment in HIV clinic of a state hospital in Perlis, Malaysia. Potential subjects were approached in the waiting areas during routine clinic visits. The Malay questionnaire consists of WHOQOL-HIV BREF, EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS. Multiple linear regressions (MLRs) were used to identify independent predictors of HRQOL, and Spearman's correlations assessed the relationships between instruments.

RESULTS

There were 88 participants in this study (mean age 43.5±13.1 years; 63.6% male). All were on antiretroviral therapy with undetectable viral loads. The mean overall WHOQOL score was 74.9±13.1 (on a 0-100 scale), EQ-5D index 0.90±0.13, and EQ-VAS 88.5±13.2. Each one-year increase in age was associated with a 3.3-point (β≈+3.3) higher WHOQOL score and middle-range household income of MYR3171-3970 (≈USD757-948 as of 1 USD=4.188 MYR) was linked to higher WHOQOL(β≈+8.7). In contrast, part-time employment corresponded to a lower WHOQOL(β≈-7.4). Having tertiary education and high income >MYR4850 (≈USD1158) were associated with lower EQ-VAS (β≈-10.3 and -16.0, respectively). An HIV transmission mode other than sex and intravenous drug use predicted significantly lower scores across all three HRQOL indicators. WHOQOL had a moderate positive correlation with EQ-5D (r=0.421) and a weaker correlation with EQ-VAS (r=0.265).

CONCLUSION

PLHIV in Perlis, Malaysia reported generally good HRQOL despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher age and moderate income were associated with better WHOQOL, whereas higher education and income paradoxically lowered self-rated health (EQ-VAS). Multi-dimensional assessment (WHOQOL, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS) revealed consistent trends and underscores the importance of holistic care for PLHIV in pandemic conditions.