A Study to assess the quality of life of Aids patients admitted in Civil Hospital, Mehsana

 

Patel Mihirkumar Maheshbhai

Lecturer, Joitiba College of Nursing, Bhandu, Tal- Visnagar, Dist- Mehsana (Gujarat)

*Corresponding Author Email: mihirpatelnsg@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Background- Life is the condition that distinguishes organic object and dead organism being manifested by growth metabolism, reproduction and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally.1Acquired immune-deficiency syndrome is a fatal illness caused by a retrovirus known as the “Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)” AIDS breaks down the body‘s immune system exposing the individual to numerous life threatening infection, neurological disorders and malignancies.2

Aims and Objective- To find association between the quality of life with their selected demographic variables.

Material and Methods- A Non-experimental, Descriptive study design with survey approach was used. 50 HIV/AIDS patients who are admitted in ART centers in Civil Hospital Mehsana were selected by using non-probability purposive sample technique. A Structured Quality of Life rating Scale was used.

Result- Findings revealed that highest percentages (54%) were in the age group of 31-50 years, Majority (66%) were males, (48%) of patients had primary education,  (38%) were daily wages, (82%) belongs to joint family, Majority (42%)  had per-capita monthly income less than Rs.1000,  (92%) were Hindus, (68%) were had family history of AIDS, (48%) were had stage II.(52%) had duration of AIDS 2-5 years, Highest percentages of patients (38%) were had habits of using tobacco. Study finding shows that majority (90%) of patients had average quality of life and (6%) of patients had good quality of life and lowest percentage (4%) of patients had poor quality of life. Finding revealed that the overall QOL mean score (103.78 ± 2.53) which is indicates that the patients had average quality of life. Study findings revealed that there was significant association was found between quality of life of AIDS patients with occupation.

 

KEYWORDS: Quality of Life, AIDS, HIV.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Life is dynamic and variable reality. It is important for promoting human health, both physically and mentally and prolongs as well as preserves life3.The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their function. As the infection progresses, the immune system becomes weaker, and the person becomes more susceptible to infections.4The number of AIDS-related deaths worldwide is steadily decreasing from a peak of 2.2 million in 2005 to an estimated 1.8 million in 2010.5

 

The Government of India estimates that about 2.40 million Indians are living with HIV (1.93 - 3.04 million) with an adult prevalence of 0.31% (2009). Children (<15 Years) account for 3.5% of all infections, while 83% are the in age group 15-49 years.6India has 2.4 million HIV positive people. It’s estimated that out of these 61% are male, 39% are female and 3.5% are children.7West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are estimated to have more than 100,000 PLHA each and together account for another 22% of HIV infections in India.8

 

 

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A Non-experimental, descriptive study design with survey approach was used. 50 HIV/AIDS patients who are admitted in ART centers in Civil Hospital Mehsana were selected by using non-probability convenient sample technique. A Structured Quality of Life rating Scale was used for data collection. The questionnaires comprises of two sections. Section A consist socio demographic variable and Characteristics of HIV/AIDS and Section B consists of Quality of Life Rating Scale was used. The data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

 

RESULT:

Findings revealed that highest percentages (54%) were in the age group of 31-50 years, Majority (66%) were males, (48%) of patients had primary education,  (38%) were daily wages,  (82%) belongs to joint family, Majority (42%)  had per-capita monthly income less than Rs.1000,  (92%) were Hindus, (68%) were had family history of AIDS, (48%) were had stage II.(52%) had duration of AIDS 2-5 years, Highest percentages of patients (38%) were had habits of using tobacco.

 

Study finding shows that majority (90%) of patients had average quality of life and (6%) of patients had good quality of life and lowest percentage (4%) of patients had poor quality of life. Finding revealed that the overall QOL mean score (103.78 ± 2.53) which is indicates that the patients had average quality of life. Study findings revealed that there was significant association was found between quality of life of AIDS patients with occupation.

 

Association between the quality of life of AIDS patients with their selected demographic variables

Sr.No

Variables

χ2

Level of significant

1.

Age

8.091

Not significant

2.

Sex

1.429

Not significant

3.

Occupation

38.43

Significant

(DF – 10 table value =38.43, p>18.30, significant)

 

CONCLUSION:

The major conclusion drown from the study is that the patients with AIDS who are admitted in the ART center Civil Hospital Mehsana had average quality of life, however the various aspects of QOL like Physical wellbeing, Psychological wellbeing, Emotional, Financial Resources, Spiritually/Religion/Personal Belief  and Environment, patients had average quality of life. This emphasis that patients with AIDS had diminished quality of life with the presence of variety of Spiritually/Religion/Personal Belief and psychological problem. There by health care professional must focus on measures to improve the quality of life and their survival.

 

REFERENCE:

1.        Trifonov EN (2011). Vocabulary of definitions of life suggests a definition. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 29(2), 259-66 

2.        K. Park Text book of Preventive and Social Medicine 19th ed. India: M/s Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers; 2009. P. 353. 

3.        http://www.healthyageing.eu/sites/www.healthyageing.eu/files/resources/Healthy%20and%20Active%20Ageing.pdf

4.        http://www.who.int/topics/hiv_aids/en/

5.        http://www.who.int/hiv/pub/progress_report2011/global_facts/en/

6.        http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/07/10/hiv-aids-india

7.        Nirmalya Dutta. World AIDS Day 2013 – HIV and AIDS in India:

8.        http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/07/10/hiv-aids-india

 

 

 

Received on 20.02.2015          Modified on 26.02.2015

Accepted on 18.03.2015          © A&V Publication all right reserved

Asian J. Nur. Edu. and Research 5(4): Oct.- Dec.2015; Page 461-462

DOI: 10.5958/2349-2996.2015.00094.4