Quality of life in people living with HIV: an exploratory cross-sectional survey in Belgium

Gert Scheerder, Sandra Van den Eynde, Patrick Reyntiens, Ria Koeck, Jessika Deblonde, Charles Ddungu, Eric Florence, Christina Joosten, Eric Van Wijngaerden, Alexis Dewaele

Research output: Contribution to journalA1: Web of Science-articlepeer-review

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey explored the quality of life in 505 people living with HIV in Belgium. Several domains of quality of life were impaired: 26% had been diagnosed with depression and 43% had weak social support. HIV-related stigma is still widespread, with 49% believing most people with HIV are rejected and 65% having experienced discrimination due to HIV. The impact of HIV was limited on professional life, but 40% experienced a negative impact on life satisfaction and 41% a negative impact on sexual life. For several domains, people with a recent diagnosis of HIV and long-term survivors had significantly worse scores. This survey also uncovered strengths of people living with HIV, such as positive coping and HIV self-image. Expanding the scope of quality of life in people living with HIV may provide a more complete picture of relevant life domains that may be impacted by living with HIV, but this needs further validation.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAIDS Education and Prevention
Volume33
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)249-264
Number of pages16
ISSN0899-9546
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Coping
  • Needs
  • People living with HIV
  • Quality of life
  • Stigma
  • Survey

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Quality of life in people living with HIV: an exploratory cross-sectional survey in Belgium'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this