HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS ON ANTI- RETRO VIRAL THERAPY AT PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES OF ARBA MINCH TOWN, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 35 million lives infected so far. Evidences show that compromising quality of life of patients yet continued in the era of high active anti retro viral therapy and little known in the study area about quality of life of patients attending anti retro viral therapy. Objectives: To assess the health related quality of life among human immunodeficiency vi rus infected people on anti-retroviral therapy at public health facilities of Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia 2019. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in Arba Minch town public health facilities of ART sites from February 16 to April 26, 2019. Through systematic sampling method, 391 respondents were participated for the study. Interviewer administered a structured questionnaire used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model were used to determine significant variable of the outcome variable. Variables with p- value ≤ 0.05 were considered as statistical significant in bivariate analysis. Results: 52.9% of the respondents have Good overall health related quality of life. The respondents with CD4 count ≥500cell/mm3 depression (AOR=9.37, 95% CI; 5.10-17.27), BMI normal nutritional status (AOR=2.66, 95% CI; 1.18-3.27), social support (AOR= 6.18, 95% CI; 3.56-10.75) and no perceived stigma (AOR=2.75, 95% CI; 1.62-4.67) were significantly associated with good health related quality of life. Conclusion and Recommendation: Health related quality of life at public health facilities of Arba Minch town was moderate. Occupation, residence, CD4 count, duration on treatment, social support, adherence, and risky sexual behavior were associated with at least one of health related quality of life domain. Zonal health bureau, health facilities managers, and health worker should focus on care strategies like work opportunities, counseling and treatment as well as attention should give to environmental and social health of patients. Keywords: - health related quality of life, human immune deficiency Virus, and people living with human immunodeficiency virus. (AOR=1.96, 95% CI; 1.18-3.27), patients without