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. 2022 Apr 28:41:344.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2022.41.344.23664. eCollection 2022.

Health-related quality of life of children and adolescents living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abideen Olurotimi Salako  1 , Agatha Nkiruka David  1 , Babasola Ayoola Opaneye  1 , Kazeem Adewale Osuolale  1 , Oluwatosin Olaseni Odubela  1 , Priscilla Ngozi Ezemelue  1 , Titilola Abike Gbaja-Biamila  1
Affiliations

Health-related quality of life of children and adolescents living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abideen Olurotimi Salako et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Introduction: adolescents living with HIV [ALHIV] face the dual challenges of adolescence and coping with HIV infection. This study aims to evaluate health-related quality of life [HRQoL] of children and adolescents aged 8 - 18 years living with HIV in an HIV treatment centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study among children and adolescents living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy. HRQoL was assessed using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory [PedQoL™]. Socio-demographic data and HIV related clinical and laboratory characteristics were also obtained and tested based on HRQoL scores in order to determine if there were possible associations.

Results: the study included 113 participants with a mean age of 14 (± 2.9) years. There was male predominance, with a male: female sex ratio of 1.1: 1. The mean duration of ART was 102.9 (±36.9) months and CD4 lymphocyte count was and 741.2 (±335.7) cell/mm3. The majority of participants (62%) were also virally suppressed. Based on self-reported data, the mean physical, psychosocial and total HRQoL scores were 85.0 [± 22.4], 78.5 [±17.5] and 81.6 [±18.4] respectively. Adolescents aged 13-18 years had significantly higher scores than children aged 8-12 years. Male patients who had been on ART for ≥60 months were also significantly associated with higher HRQoL scores (OR=5.46 [CI= 2.24-13.29], p = 0.0009) and OR= 4.80, [CI= 1.58 - 14.56] p = 0.0032).

Conclusion: the majority of participants in the study had good HRQoL scores, attesting to the success of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection and the ease of access and availability to a comprehensive care.

Keywords: Quality of life; adolescent; anti-retroviral therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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