Is quality of life poorer for older adults with HIV/AIDS? International evidence using the WHOQOL-HIV

Abstract

Increasingly older adults are being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. In 2002, UNAIDS indicated that 13 aspects of quality of life (QoL) were poorer for older adults, but only sparse, inconsistent cross-cultural evidence is available. This statement was investigated using a reliable, valid measure (the WHOQOL-HIV) distributed in nine cultures (eight countries). HIV positive and well adults (n = 2089) were assessed across 30 QoL facets; 403 were 40+ years. It was confirmed that sleep, fatigue and sex-life were poorer areas of QoL for older HIV adults than younger. Furthermore, they could be misinterpreted as normal ageing signs. Moreover, older people reported greater dependency on medication. However, older HIV adults had better QoL than expected on 11 dimensions; negative feelings, social inclusion, and several environmental and spiritual facets. This highlights the extent of poor QoL in younger adults. After accounting for culture and gender, overall QoL and health in older HIV adults was explained by eight facets comprising 61.3% of the variance. Social relationships were paramount, especially personal relationships (41%), but support and sex-life also. Energy, negative feelings, cognitions, financial resources and HIV symptoms also contributed. Social interventions for ageing communities would improve well-being. This evidence could support global ageing and HIV policy.

Keywords:

• HIV
• international
• quality of life
• old age
• WHOQOL-HIV

Acknowledgements

I am indebted to the WHOQOL-HIV Group which comprises a coordinating group of collaborating investigators: Dr R. Billington, Dr J. Orley, Dr S Saxena, Ms M. Lotfy, Mr M. Bartos, Dr P. Chandra, Dr M. Fleck, Dr L. Bun Hor, Dr R. Bhargava, Prof F. Starace, Dr S. Pkhidenko, Dr K. Meesapya, Dr A. Haworth, Dr J. Mutimbirwa and Dr K. O'Connell. Further information on the WHOQOL can be obtained at http://www.who.int/mental_health/media/en/613.pdf and http://www.bath.ac.uk/whoqol. I am grateful to Help the Aged and United Nations International Institute on Ageing, and colleagues who attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Expert Workshop on HIV/AIDS and Older people IV/HIV/H, Valletta, Malta in 2005.