Gender Differences In Quality Of Life In Persons Infected With HIV

INTRODUCTION: With the changing face of HIV into a chronic disease, quality of life research is of importance. Much of the previous research in this area has not included females in the samples. Women with HIV are becoming greater in number and are of increased concern to those involved in HIV surveillance. PROBLEM: Most of the small amount of data on HIV women’s QOL, demonstrates that women have decreased health related quality of life (HRQOL) in comparison to men with HIV. There is no research using the MOS-HIV tool in assessing the gender difference in quality of life with HIV patients. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide data using the MOS-HIV tool to assess the presence of HRQOL differences in men and women with HIV. METHOD AND SAMPLE: A secondary analysis of data collected from a large study conducted in down-state Illinois was used. A stratified random sample (N = 292) of both men and women was selected from the study population. The sample completed MOS-HIV quality of life scale. RESULTS: Contrary to the review of current literature, the data set did not support a gender difference in quality of life in those infected with HIV. SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the lack of quality of life difference in gender, healthcare providers must assess each individual’s HRQOL. Future research is needed to determine what further influences HRQOL and to better identify the presence or absence of a variance between the sexes.