Assessing self-care component of activities and participation domain of the international classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF) among people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Disability experience of persons with HIV illness has shifted from issues related to physical well-being to those concerning performance of daily life activities. This study aimed to find out the nature of self-care among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in rural tertiary care center. The objectives were to determine reported self-care by performance qualifier of PLWHA and to find out reported self-care by capacity qualifier of PLHIV. A cross sectional study was conducted among the 194 PLHIV in rural tertiary care hospital. The Self-Care (d5) component of Activities and Participation domain (d) of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) was used. Among the 194 PLHIV patients studied, 82% were male. The average age was 36.87 years (SD+/-9.01) with a median of 35 years, varying from 15 to 65 years. Over 65% of the study group experienced one or more impairments. As HIV disease has become a more lifelong, unpredictable, but medically manageable condition, there is a need for more collaboration with other disability groups in order to identify commonalities in their experiences and to share collective concerns.