Data-Driven Insights into Understanding the Health-Related Quality of Life Among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan: Exploring Causes, Demography, and Efficacy of Antiretroviral Therapy

Abstract

This study examines the health-related quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIVA) in Lahore, Pakistan. Participants included men, women and transgender PLHIVA, with a total sample size of N=100. An equal number of participants were divided into both groups: PLHIVA receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) as the experimental group and those not receiving treatment, i.e. pre-ART, as the control group. Qusai's ex-post facto research design, using a non-probability purposive sampling strategy, was used in this study. Data were collected using the WHOQOL-HIV BREF scale and analyzed using correlation, t-tests, and linear regression analysis. Findings revealed higher health-related quality of life among PLHIVA on ART compared to those pre-ART. Furthermore, the primary modes of HIV/AIDS transmission were sexual contact (38%), blood transfusion (31%), and injecting drug use (33%). The implications of these findings are substantial and warrant thorough discussion.