What is it about?
The study determined quality of life (QoL) aspects that are threatening people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the sub Saharan country of Lesotho, a country with 40% of its estimated two million people living below the poverty datum line. The assessments were based on the standard World Health Organization QoL Brief assessment tool which requires that physical, psychological, social and environmental aspects be examined. PLHIV were least satisfied with the physical and environmental aspects of their lives and QoL was influenced by age, level of education, marital status, economic status and level of social support. Apparently, most of these aspects are supposed to be addressed by the Lesotho social protection policy that was put in place in the late 2000s. The implementation of the social protection policy therefore needs to be scaled up to improve QoL of PLHIV, considering the findings of this study.
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Why is it important?
Determination of QoL of PLHIV is becoming ever more important as the life expectancy of PLHIV continue to improve due to the improvements in antiretroviral treatment. The QoL for PLHIV in sub Saharan Africa is however comparatively lower than other regions of the world due to pervasive poverty in this region, which apparently has the majority of PLHIV.
Perspectives
Improvements in implementation of the social protection policy have the potential to improve the levels of education and economic status of PLHIV, thereby addressing the other important aspects underpinning QoL for PLHIV in Lesotho. However, addressing the challenges in the implementation of the social protection policy needs to be prioritised.
Dr Eltony Mugomeri
Africa University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Reported quality of life of HIV-positive people in Maseru, Lesotho: The need to strengthen social protection programmes, HIV & AIDS Review, January 2016, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.hivar.2016.03.006.
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