Quality of Life of People Living with Virally Suppressed HIV in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa 

Background Viral suppression in people living with HIV (PLH) positively affects their quality of life and lifespan due to long-term Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). However, this treatment can also lead to various issues, including metabolic, physical, psychosocial, and economic challenges. Many individuals who achieve viral suppression (VL) still face significant difficulties that adversely affect their overall quality of life. Objectives To measure Quality of Life (QoL) domains using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) among People Living with Immunodeficiency Virus who achieved Viral Load Suppression. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study of 244 HIV-virally suppressed adult participants was conducted across the Eastern Cape Province. The QoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, where mean scores for each of the 4 domains were calculated and transformed to a 0–100 scale. Results The overall quality of life (QoL) assessment yielded a moderate general score of 50.5 (SD = 12.1) across four domains. Participants rated their physical health highest with a mean score of 55.9 (SD = 17.6), while scores for social relationships and psychological health were both 51.3 (SD = 20.1 and SD = 15.9, respectively), and the environmental domain scored the lowest at 43.6 (SD = 13.7). This was accompanied by moderate perceived overall self-rated health status, where higher educational level, employment, and higher income were significantly associated with higher scores for each of the four QoL domains (p