6th Regional Conference in Sarajevo, May 17-18 2012.

1. Quality of life of people with HIV/AIDS receiving antiretroviral
therapy in Albania
Prepared and presented by:
Xhani, B.; Naska, J.; Pilaca A.; Harxhi A.; Shkurti K.; Gashi V.; Shehu E.; Dede M.; Kalo, T.;
Puca E.; Kurti Sh.; Qyra E.; Kraja Dh.
University Hospital Center of “Mother Teresa” Tirana, Department of Infectious Diseases

2. Purpose and Timeline
Purpose
 To understand how the HIV infection has affected
the quality of life of people receiving ART.
Timeline
September - December
 Number of subjects included in the study:
40 out of 130 that receives the ARV.

3.  WHOQOL-HIV, Instrument
 The WHOQOL-HIV is based on the WHOQOL-100
 These questions respond to the definition of Quality
of Life as individuals' perceptions of their position in
life in the context of the culture and value systems
in which they live and in relation to their goals,
expectations, standards and concerns.

8. Domain I: Physical
 Pain and discomfort
 Energy and fatigue
 Sleep and rest
 50 Symptoms of PLWHA*
Domain II: Psychological
 Positive feelings
 Thinking, learning, memory and concentration
 Self-esteem
 Body- image and appearance
 Negative feelings
Domain III: Level of Independence
 Mobility
 Activities of daily living
 Dependence on medication or treatments
 Work capacity

9. Domain IV Social Relationships
 Personal relationships
 Social support
 Sexual activity
 51 Social Inclusion
Domain V Environment
 Physical safety and security
 Home environment
 Financial resources
 Health and social care (accessibility and quality)
 Opportunities for acquiring new information and skills
 Participation and opportunities for recreation/ leisure activities
 Physical environment (pollution/noise/traffic/climate)
 Transportation
 Domain VI Spirituality/Religion/ Personal Beliefs

10. Average
Education Civil status
age
Total Primary Secondary Tertiary Average age Married Single Widow
Female 40 20 10 10 15 20 2.5
Man 60 37.5 20 2.5 52.5 10 0
Total 100 57.5 30 12.5 40.5 67.5 30 2.5

11. Table.1. 2: Data about HIV status/infection
HIV Serostatus Ways of infection by patients
Don’t Sexual Blood No
Total Aids converted know Asymptomatic relations Products idea
Famale 40 5 32.5 5 27.5 10 2.5
Man 60 5 50 2.5 37.5 7.5 15
Total 100 10 82.5 7.5 65 17.5 17.5

12. Ways of infec tion by g ender in %
120
100
100
80 65
60
60
40 37.5
40 27.5
17.5 15 17.5
20 10 7.5 2.5
0
G ender S ex ual relations B lood P roduc ts no idea
F emale Male Total

13. Education Ways of infection by patients
Sexual Blood No
Gender Primary Secondary Tertiary relations Products idea
Female 16 8 4 4 27.5 10 2.5
Male 24 15 8 1 37.5 7.5 15
Total 40 23 12 5 65 17.5 17.5

14. Dependenc e of ways of infec tion by educ ation in %
70 65
60
50 40 37.5
40
27.5
30 24 23
16 15 17.5 15 17.5
20 12 10 7.5
8 8 5
10 4 4 1 2.5
0
G ender P rimary S ec ondary Tretiary S ex ual B lood No idea
relations P roduc ts
F emale Male Total

15. Results of domain in %
Domain Total
Domain 1: Physical 42
Domain 2: Psychological 42
Domain 3: Level of Independence 38
Domain 4: Social Relationship 42
Domain 5: Environment 37
Domain 6: Spiritually, Religion, Personal Beliefs 32

16. Percentage by domains included in the study
Domain 1 P hys ical
39 42
Domain 2 P s ychological
32
42 Domain 3 Level of
Indipendence
Domain 4 S ocial
R elations hip
37
38 Domain 5 E nvironment
42
Domain 6 S piritually,
R eligion, P ers onal
B eliefs
Totali

17. HIV Serostatus
Total Aids converted Don’t know Asymptomatic
Female 40 5 32.5 5
Male 60 5 50 2.5
Total 100 10 82.5 7.5

18. Hiv S erios tatus by g ender in %
120
100
100
82.5
80
60
60 50
40
40 32.5
20 5 5 10 5 7.5
2.5
0
Total A ids c onverted Don’t know A s ymptomatic
F emale Male Total

19.  To what extent are you bothered by people
blaming you for your HIV status?
 50% of them do no tell anyone about their
diseases.
Not at all A little Moderate Very An
amount much extreme
amount
Total in % 15 5 10 20 0

20.  62.5 % of patients interviewed were hopeless
about their future according to their quality of life,
while 37.5 percent of them expressed negative
feelings such as depression and anxiety during the
day.
 As antiretroviral medications become more
available in these areas, community members and
care providers can help clients realize the possibility
of living well with HIV/AIDS, and can work with
clients to improve functional ability and control
symptom intensity to make living well a reality.