Value judgment of life quality of women diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20143804448461

Abstract

The risk of contamination by HIV virus has been increasing between heterosexual partners, affecting mainly poor women
from rural areas. To study the quality of life of these epidemiologically and socially vulnerable women may be a way to
allow the construction of a new panorama about their psychic, emotional and social health in face of this disease. The
objective of this study was to verify the quality of life (Q-L) of women having HIV/AIDS that attended a reference center
(Maceió-AL). 154 women were interviewed from April to October 2013. For this data collection, a questionnaire containing
some sociodemographic and clinical aspects and the inventory HIV/ AIDS –Target Quality of Life (HAT – QoL) was
used. Women interviewed were 37-38 years old (± 10.49); having low formal education; and low income (90.2%). 78.6%
had recent infection; and 71.4% use antiretroviral medication. The average areas that make up the HAT-QoL ranged from
27.3 to 83.7. Within the nine areas, seven of them had average ≤ 50.0. Within the construct sensing we observed significant
evaluations concerning life satisfaction, concerns about health, financial worries, trust, and sexual function and the
following sociodemographic and clinical characteristics: Income, school timing, formal education, work incapacity due to
HIH, having a partner, CD4 count and viral load. The results show low quality of life of the women interviewed. The most
affected areas were mostly concerns about confidentiality, finances, acceptance of HIV and life satisfaction. These results
may contribute to the improvement of quality of life and comprehensive care in health and the right of their citizenship.