Studies on Qualiy of Life of PLHAS in India

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Dear FORUM,

The following are some of the QOL abstracts.

 

Quality of Life Research Volume 14, Number 6, 1641-1647, DOI:

10.1007/s11136-004-7082-8

Assessment of quality of life among HIV-infected persons in Pune, India Rewa M.

Kohli, Suvarna Sane, Kishore Kumar, Ramesh S. Paranjape and Sanjay M. Mehendale

Abstract

Objective: To study dimensions of Quality of Life (QOL) amongst HIV infected

persons, their relationship with socio-demographic characteristics and disease

progression.

Design: Cross-sectional study with one time assessment of QOL.

Methods: Modified Medical Outcome Study (MOS) core instrument [The Medical

Outcome Study 116 core set of Measures of functioning and well being, Appendix

A, core survey instrument (internet)] was interview -administered to 100 HIV

infected individuals.

Results: The instrument showed significant positive inter-domain correlations

and desired linear association between QOL scores and the CD4 counts. The scale

had a Cronbach α value of 0.75. QOL was markedly affected in the domains of

physical health, work and earnings, routine activities and appetite and food

intake.

Women had significantly lower QOL scores than men despite having less advanced

disease. The QOL scores were significantly lower among persons with lower CD4

counts mainly in different domains of physical health.

Conclusions: The modified MOS scale had the desired reliability and validity for

evaluation of QOL in the HIV-infected persons in India.

Low scores in the domains of physical health compared to other domains suggest a

strategy to focus on medical intervention. A need for psychosocial intervention

for women was perceived. Longitudinal studies must be done to assess the impact

of anti-retroviral therapy being rolled out through the national programme on

QOL.

Source of Funding: National AIDS Research Institute, Intra-mural funds Indian

Council Of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.

 

www.springerlink.com/index/tn935u0243173832.pdf

 

Indian J Med Res 122, October 2005, pp 297-304

Modification of medical outcome study (MOS) instrument for quality of life

assessment & its validation in HIV infected individuals in India

 

R.M. Kohli, Suvarna Sane, Kishore Kumar, R.S. Paranjape & S.M. Mehendale

 

Departments of Epidemiology & Immunology, National AIDS Research Institute

(ICMR), Pune, India

Background & objective: Several instruments have been developed specifically to

assess the quality of life

(QOL) in HIV infected individuals. No information is available in this aspect

from India. The present study was thus carried out to assess the QOL among HIV

infected persons, to study their relationship

with socio-demographic characteristics and stages of disease progression, and to

examine change in QOL over time.

 

Methods:  One time assessment of QOL on 100 and repeat evaluation on 20 HIV

infected persons enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal prospective study of

clinical progression was done. Medical Outcome Study (MOS-QOL) core instrument

was modified to suit the Indian cultural settings and interview-administered.

Results: The overall scale had Cronbach alpha 0.75. Instrument showed

significant positive inter-domain correlations and linear association between

QOL scores and CD4 counts. QOL was markedly affected in

the domains of physical health, work and earnings, routine activities, and

appetite and food intake.

Women had significantly lower QOL scores despite having less advanced disease.

The QOL scores decreased with drop in CD4 counts mainly in the physical health

domains. Generally, the QOL scores

were high in the follow up visit compared to baseline.

 

Interpretation & conclusion: The modified MOS scale with Cronbach alpha of more

than 0.7 and linear relationship between CD4 counts and the QOL scores indicated

that the instrument was reliable and

valid for evaluation of QOL in HIV infected persons in India.

Comparative lower scores in the domains of physical health indicate medical

intervention to greatly benefit the HIV infected persons.

Longitudinal studies need to be undertaken to assess the impact of introduction

of anti retroviral therapy (ART) through the national programme on disease

progression and changes in QOL.

 

icmr.nic.in/ijmr/2005/october/1002.pdf

For further details please contat the author of the paper 

 

Dr. Rewa Kohli, MSc,PhD

Socio-Behavioral Research Co-ordinator,

Clinical Trial Unit,

National AIDS Research Institute,

Pune. (Maharashtra)

<rewamkohli@...>